Official thread for Sept. 21 Wonder!

[Wishing on a star]

Hello Pixie!!!!

Sounds like you are planning and planning, just like me!!!

I will add your name to our main page later... As I have gotta run right now! I am excited to have another family here to be on our cruise! Your DS sounds a little like mine... eating is NOT his favorite thing! That is beginning to change though. I think when he is older he will eat us out of house and home!

Pixie, with your party being all adults except for your DS, with grandparents and all... perhaps you could consider making a request for the TAPT dining rotation. (are you early or late seating???) Then you can do Palo on that first night, and not really miss anything. I hear that Parrot Cay and AP are both 'events'. If you do get APTA, then you could always go directly to dining-changes when you board.

I hope to see you if you can stop by to say hello on Deck 10 before the sailaway party!

 

[chubbyjen]

Hi Pixie!!!!

 

[cat1239]

Welcome Pixie!!

I'm from Tallahassee Florida so I'm not far away from you.

Cathy

 

[pixiepoo]

Thanks to all for the nice welcome and to Wishing on a Star, I think that may just be the perfect solution to my dining dilemma. Is the place where you make palo ressies the same place as where you request a rotation change?

Also, would love to stop by deck 10 before the sailaway and say hello to everyone. Where exactly are you meeting? I will be the one with the blissful smile on my face.

 

[Stimpy]

Welcome Aboard Pixie and family!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

The plan is for DH and I to sprint up to Deck 10 immediately after the Lifeboat Drill. We will try to get a spot overlooking the stage where the Sailaway Party will be, on the side of the ship that is facing the Terminal. Let's pray for decent weather!!!!

Does anyone know if we are 'required' to return directly to our cabin to put our life-vest away?

One way that you can spot us is too look for the three of us in matching tank-tops with the Captain Mickey logo that you see on the opening post on this thread!

I had the big idea of having Shirley of The Perfect Gift to deliver us a balloon bouquet, and then we could set this up for all to see. Then, when the countdown ends, and the horn goes off, we could all release balloons! Unfortunately, that will not be possible. This is prohibited, as they want to protect the wildlife and environment from the balloons and ribbons.

If any of you guys have any other great ideas, then just throw them in here.

I can't wait!!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Pixie,

I just checked the latest navigator for the 4-night cruise, on castawayclub.com ( You have checked out that site, right!) and according to this, "Changes in dining assignments and Palo reservations, can be requested at Wavebands............"

I hear that the times and places for these things can vary, so check your Navigator immediately upon boarding!

I came to these solutions in dining for DH and I and DS after many hours of OCD planning!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

You have to put the lifejackets back

 

[Stimpy]

Is anyone having something delivered from The Perfect Gift? I'm thinking about it but wanted to see what the price range was. The don't really have any prices on the site.

 

[Wishing on a star]

The balloons were the only thing that I had considered... (trying to keep costs down!!! ) And, once Shirley emailed me back, I never got a quote. I know that her husband Norm has been in the Hospital??? Not sure if she is back to work full-swing or not???

Anyhow, Shirley does very personalized gifts. You would probably have to contact her, and let her know exactly what you had in mind, and your price range, etc...

She sure gets good PR on the board here!

 

[Stimpy]

The balloon idea is nice. Maybe instead of releasing them we can give them to the kids in our group to bring them back to their rooms? It seems we have a few younger kids that would really like them, maybe a few older "kids" as well If you want, let me know how much it is, we'd like to contribute.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks Stimpy!

I will give Shirley a call and see what is possible...

 

[pixiepoo]

Wishing on a Star, thanks for the info on where to go. The balloon idea sounds like fun, I'd be happy to chip in, too.

 

[jordanyosh]

Another quiet day here in the 21st thread. Hmm.....we are now thinking of doing the dolphin encounter at nassau. Looks fun and a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity.

 

[chubbyjen]

Jordan- The dolphin encounter sounds awesome. Are you gonna do it? I really wanna do it...but it's kinda expensive for us. I love dolphins though and you're right...it is one of those once in a lifetime kinda things.

Hmm...this morning I just could not get myself out of bed and it dawned on me....hmm...should I cancel one of my excursions? I have excursions planned for every stop and they are all early in the morning....I wonder if I can actually wake up for them...or whether I should just have one day where I can sleep in. Then again...if I don't do the excurions...I'll feel that I'm missing my opportunity to do something really fun...and might regret it. Ughh... dilemma..dilemma. I guess I'll ask DH about it.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Hey chubbyjen, I am still wondering just who said that a cruise is relaxing!!! LOL!

If it were me I think I would look at which activity would be best to change to the afternoon.... I like my sleep. Afternoon naps are always good! There is something to be said for taking the time to kick back and smell the ocean breeze......

I think Freeport will have to be our big 'relaxing' day. Atlantis on that first day, and then a super busy last day with CC/snorkeling/kids show/Dreams/ etc.... That's why I wanted our day at sea.

We're gonna be looking for you up in the sky on that parasail!!!

Jordan, the dolphin encounter sounds awesome! Will several of your family be going? I would want to do the swim!!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Jen, I would talk it over with your hub, but doing an excursion everyday might be a bit much. I love the ship and spending time just hanging out. We actually haven't done a shore excursion before because we love the ship that much, but the Dolphin Encounter sounds too cool. Wishing, we have thought about the swim, but it's a bit pricey.

We'll see though. I am not too worried about it.

 

[jott3]

Jordan, I've heard the dolphin excursions can fill up, so you might want to call ahead.

Jen, you can always take naps later in the day if you get tired! I'd hate for you to miss any of those excursions if you have really been looking forward to them.

Wishing, how are the shirts coming along?

Hello to everyone else - we're getting closer and closer!

 

[pixiepoo]

jen,

I think the number of excursions you go on should depend on what type of activity level you enjoy. If you're a very high energy person, go for it. However, on previous cruises I've taken (not DCL), I've always felt slightly obligated to participate in more activities than I really enjoyed. There's something about having so many options available that makes you want to try them all. Big mistake! If you're tired and overscheduled you won't have fun doing anything. Pick a few favorites and leave time to savor the experience.

As the Mother of a busy DS (4) the things I'm looking forward to have nothing to do with shore excursions. They are:
Sharing leisurely dinners with my husband with no fish sticks in sight.
Laying on a lounge chair sipping something cold and fluffy, sunglasses mandatory.
Dancing with my four year old DS.
Romance with my husband.
Enjoying a bottle of wine on the secret veranda with my 80 year old Father.
Lying in bed with a good book and ordering room service.
Watching my son's face when he sees Mickey.
This is definitely going to be the best cruise of my life!
What is everyone else looking forward to?

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am looking forward to....

All of the above! (except the 'father' part in our case) Excellent post!

Hey Pixie, did you read a few pages back in our thread where we all mentioned what we are looking forward to the most? Time consuming, I know!!!

I know that when DH and I went to Jamaica, years ago... We had scheduled some excursions. And, things ended up getting screwed up with the excursions so that we didn't really have enough of that 'down-time' to just kick back and enjoy the all-inclusive frozen concoctions at our resort.... We missed some of that wonderful quality time together to just relax and ENJOY... you know, without having to run here or there.

I want to not be so worn-out that DH and I can just hang out on deck late one evening and watch the stars! I want to be able to spend happy relaxed time with DS, not having to drag him around by the elbow, always off to the NEXT thing.


Boy, what is it they say... " I need it baaaad'!!!! lol!!!!