**@@** October 6th, 2007 Magic**@@**

[Selket]

Selket My boy is 4 and thank goodness we are not in the pokemon stage yet... for him. it's all about transformers (more than meet the eye)

Ah....I have a 5 year old too. He likes it all - from Power Rangers to Pokemon!

There is an interesting trip report/comparison report between DCL and Carnival on the cruise trip reports board. She is fairly critical of Carnival - the service and the kid's programs sound like the worst part. The rooms look nice though!

I'm hoping the Disney cruise has the same standards for service and attention to detail, etc. as they do at the parks.

 

[Laurabearz]

I'm hoping the Disney cruise has the same standards for service and attention to detail, etc. as they do at the parks.

You know what blew me away on DCL... I saw some CM's from the kids clubs transporting the kids from one place to another and one CM in the front was wiping the handrail ahead of the kids, and another CM was behind them all, once again wiping the rails....

 

[lildeb724]

Anyone interested in doing a swap... One or Two familes (depending on how many are interested) are responsible for little trinkets for one day of the cruise... So for example I could make up a little goodie bags for each kid for the embark day.. Someone else for Key went day.. another for pirate.. each sort of themed for the night... Oriental trading has things for every theme and cheap too.

Now there is some comimitment involoved in this... creating the goodie bags(and getting them there), then taking time out one day while on the ship to go around and pass them out, which could take a while... lol SO think long and hard as to wether you want to particapate. It is really fun for the kids... never knowing what they might come back too.... and a fun way to bond even more
Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo anyone interested??[/CENTER]

Laura - I am in for the swap .....anyone else!

 

[CM_Mom]

but I can't say for sure which part of Canada they are from. I'm sure there are still several from Canada. They're probably not as likely to speak French if they're from the western part. If they're from Quebec, it's a given. All the crew members have their name and home country on their nametags which should help you a bit in identifying those who are likely to speak French.

When you get the Kids Navigators for your kids, it will have pictures of all the counselors for the week and their home countries. Be sure to ask when you first check your kids in the club if any of the counselors speak French. Actually I think you'll be amazed how much English your kids pick up during the week. I'm sure they'll be fine.

If you'll remind me in late September, I can ask DD to check to see if anyone in the Club speaks French.

FYI, speaking from a VERY prejudiced point of view, I think the service on DCL is at least as good if not better than at the parks because you get to know the crew. Also, in comparison to other ships, DCL is the only line that requires every new hire to spend 3 days in "Traditions" training about the company and ships BEFORE they ever get on the ship. And crew members are rewarded for doing things to improve the guest experience. That mindset does make a difference.

Welcome aboard.

 

[nanatink]

Everyone must be getting ready for back to school. Just thought I would post and say 2 more months and we (7) and all our Oct. 6th dis family are on the ship. My daughter and her family just got their passports today. She is so thrilled. Monday it would be 18 weeks.: tink:

 

[Selket]

After reading the thread on the main cruise board about not dining at the main restaurants and just doing the casual stuff it makes me wonder how much most folks enjoy their dining times? I'm also thinking of how I'm going to work in all those extra dress clothes. I look at what we took down to WDW for 5 days last month and I'm sure it would mean another large suitcase full of clothes. Whew!

We're a family of 4 (2 boys and parents). How many big suitcases do you bring? I really don't want to do laundry on this trip!

 

[bellastella227]

Well, I just went ahead and ordered our WDW passes for the day before cruising. I got the notice that park ticket prices go up starting tomorrow so I figured we may as well have just gone ahead and ordered them today...we know we are going! I wish we could afford to order 10 day no expire but that is just not going to happen. We just got one-day park hoppers and we are doing MNSSHP that night, too.

I'm so excited! We only have two months left now. It will be here before we know it.

Oh, for the over the door shoe holders...do you all get the cheap plastic ones like at Target or the nicer ones from BBB? Do they fit over the door well? Or does it hinder it closing and such?

 

[TexasGirl]

Everyone must be getting ready for back to school. Just thought I would post and say 2 more months and we (7) and all our Oct. 6th dis family are on the ship. My daughter and her family just got their passports today. She is so thrilled. Monday it would be 18 weeks.: tink:

Wow! Monday is 18 weeks?! That is exciting.

I registered DD for 2nd grade yesterday. Only 3 weeks left of summer vacation. She's going to Branson, Missouri with her Grandma next week for her last vacation before the BIG ONE. (DH and I stay behind in Texas and work.)

 

[stenogoddess]

The last seven day cruise we went on (two of us) we took waaaay too much stuff, IMO. It was one big suitecase and two garmet bags and a makeup bag. So this time I've decided to do one of two things: One, ship down a box full of shoes, my husband's suit, all the extra stuff that you don't really need when you're traveling. Or two, only take a semi formal dress, buffet it for formal night, and force myself to leave the extras at home because do I really need three books when I know I probably will barely crack the cover on one?

We're a family of 4 (2 boys and parents). How many big suitcases do you bring? I really don't want to do laundry on this trip!

What I want to know is does anybody else feel like they are about to just climb out of their skin? I feel like this trip is just NEVER going to get here. The days haven't moved this slow for me since I was nine and waiting on Santa, for crying out loud! I think I could actually snap and smack somebody in the head and then have to plead insanity by reason of waiting for her Disney cruise to roll around. LOL

 

[eeyorefreak]

Hi everyone! It's been a few weeks since I have checked in. DH has surgery and we went to Disneyland for a week. The best news is, I've convinced my parents to come on the cruise with us! We should get them booked sometime this weekend. Now another reason I can't wait for this cruise!!

Shannon

 

[Laurabearz]

What I want to know is does anybody else feel like they are about to just climb out of their skin? I feel like this trip is just NEVER going to get here. The days haven't moved this slow for me since I was nine and waiting on Santa, for crying out loud! I think I could actually snap and smack somebody in the head and then have to plead insanity by reason of waiting for her Disney cruise to roll around. LOL

Funny... I sort of feel like this is crunch time and that the cruise will sneak up and bite me before I know it.

We will have a lot of luggage. But the bags fit inside each other and then under the beds so I dont care!!!

One bag for before and after cruise hotel stays that wont be opened during the cruise

One bag for Formal and semi formal outfits for us all

One bag for pirate night apparel for us all

Two bags for our Day clothes and escentials..

And at least one colapsable bag inside one of the others for the trip back.

BUt you know what... We load it into the Van and that's pretty much it... from there it goes to the porter at the airport, and another porter helps us to our other van, and a bellman helps us to our room, and so on and so on.... So I dont care!! I stash away lots of 5's and 1's for that purpose!

 

[Laurabearz]

I also wanted to say, it appears we are the only ship in port at Key West... check out www.cruisecal.com to find out more


AND... it seems DCL is sold out of Cat 9's for our cruise, at least according to the website.

 

[stenogoddess]

hey Laura! Speaking of cruise prep, just wondering if you had had time, you know, in all of your extra "spare" time, to see if you would be able to tweak my sign??? No pressure at all, just wondering.

 

[CM_Mom]

That's my packing secret. Take some basic black or khaki slacks and multiple tops to enable you to pack lighter.

Stenogoddess and others, don't get too bent out of shape for formal night (or any other night for that matter). On our last cruise I took some black jersey slacks and a couple of glittery tops for the formal/semiformal nights. The other nights are cruise casual so nice capri outfits and/or slacks and a nice top. DH is taking a sport coat and slacks for formal night since he doesn't own a suit. I told my MIL that a nice Sunday outfit would be fine since that's what my mom and aunt wore for formal on our last cruise and they weren't out of place at all. "Formal" isn't required, just suggested. I would guess that only about half of the folks actually wear "formal" outfits.

This trip I have a nice cocktail dress that I will probably wear for BOTH formal and semiformal nights. Guess what folks, if I only wear it for 3 hours one night, it won't be dirty so you'll just have to look at it again.

DD and I went on a 7 day trip to Alaska last year with one suitcase and a carry on each. And that included nice outfits for dinner each evening and two formal outfits for each of us - plus sweaters and sweat shirts cause we went in May and it was cold. I will mention that every nook and cranny of the suitcases were stuffed. Good thing security at the airport didn't decide to search our luggage. They would never have been able to get it back in!

Everyone needs to do what they're comfortable with but EVERY packing list I see says to take less than you think you need. One great suggestion is to not pack T-shirts for 2 days for everyone. Then buy and wear souvenir shirts on the trip.

 

[CM_Mom]

so one member of the group isn't out in the cold if a bag is lost. This is one of the best tips I've seen. There are several ways to do it. Laurabearz idea of packing by type of clothes accomplishes this. Also, I've seen folks that pack for the first 3 days in one or two suitcases and the last 4 days in the others.

And since so many of you have small kids, a great packing tip is to put each day's outfit in a separate ziploc bag with everything the kid needs to get dressed including underwear, top, shorts, socks, etc. Then they just "grab a bag". You've matched the outfits at home (and know you have the right number of undies and socks) so you have less to worry with on the ship.

With all of you talking about packing, it's making the cruise seem that much closer. YIPPEE

 

[rdy2bpampered]

Well, I am back from my surgery, went ok I guess. Don't know of any surgery where you come out singing for joy. Guess that will come after the pain is gone.
But I guess that is good news. Since I am off for the next 2-3 weeks I am going to have time to work on cruise stuff.
So I will be doing some more buttons, and magnets...
Just hope i don't go overboard! (pun intended)

Hi everyone! It's been a few weeks since I have checked in. DH has surgery and we went to Disneyland for a week. The best news is, I've convinced my parents to come on the cruise with us! We should get them booked sometime this weekend. Now another reason I can't wait for this cruise!!

Shannon

Great news about adding your parents! I also invited my Mom and Grandma on our cruise. I figured since we have seperate rooms we can split if we need some 'alone' time. This is a first cruise for all of us and with Grandma at 86 we figured we had better jump on taking her. She may never have this chance again. Where I am young enough that I can do this again. But not before I pay off this trip!

 

[Selket]

I do baggie up the kids clothes sometimes - that is a good idea. At the very least I lay out some outfits for every day to make sure I have the right amount.

It is always a good idea to throw in a duffle or something that you can use to bring back extra's that you bought. We put our dirty clothes in the duffle.

All of our luggage is mix and match and nothing that fits all nicely together! The 2 kids are not much help with the luggage so it is just me and DH hauling it all.

Ever since I quit working when my younger son was born I haven't exactly kept up with nicer clothes! I will have to do some shopping but I like the idea of nice pants and a few tops. I thought I'd have new pants for the boys as they will likely still be wearing their shorts to school most of Sept. I've gotten them some cute shirts to wear. My husband has lots of suits so he'll have no problem.

Thanks for the tips - always helpful to hear how others pack. I haven't considered pirate night too much yet....hmmm..........

 

[Laurabearz]

((Rdy2)) Hope your recovery is quick! Do you have that contraption with the little ball you have to blow and keep the ball up??


I am in door sign world right now.... And I have to ask myself... How many door signs are too many???

But alas the kids are hounding me to buy them new backpacks for school! How can they think about school when we are 61 days away from our cruise! Leave it to them to be the party poopers!

 

[CM_Mom]

if you wear really casual stuff during the day and change for dinner. If you only wear your nice stuff for two or three hours, you can put it back in the closet and wear it again later - unless you spill on it . I can hardly remember what I wore a couple of days ago and definitely couldn't remember what someone else wore.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Hi! We are looking into booking this cruise. We had one on RCCL booked but I cancelled - it just didn't feel like the right vacation for us. Then we were going to just go to Grand Cayman and get a condo on the beach and see the island. My DH said last night that he thinks a Disney cruise would be good for all of us. So ... here I am looking at the Magic (maybe the Wonder - but I don't like the itenaray).

Last time we went on Disney a bunch of us stayed at the same hotel the night before. We all had something lime green to identify us. Anything like that going on for this cruise? Which hotel? That night before meeting ended up being one of the highlights of our trip! We met people that we hung out with the entire week and really enjoyed their company.

Anyway - I'll fill in all the details if we decide to book. We are always so last minute with everything!