Paula's pre-trip report - or the count is 2-2-2 and there is alot to do!!

[DISNEYFANRI]

I've been reading all of the wonderful trip reports and thought I'd join in and write my own.

Background.....me....Paula....48.....wife... mom to 2 teens.....works from home....little to no social life (expect for DIS)....never put myself first or done an impulsive thing in my life.....................................................................

And then it happened.....surfing the net.....thinking that I never go on vacations...started looking for short trips.....cruises came up....why cruises I ask myself? I can barely ride in the car without getting queasy..... I slap myself upside the head - remind myself that there is such a thing as meds for motion sickness and wonder why I want to prevent myself from experiencing something that I would really love.... still looking into cruises..... ?? would DH go or would he just say as he always does - it would be no fun you'd be sick?.....still looking....and then it hits me....DH has taken DS away for weekends more than once.....but I have never gone away with just DD.....what a great idea.....I casually mention it to her - she's interested but I know she's thinking "mom's just playing - she'll never spend the $$ ..... so I go about my research and my DIS'ing....and think....WAIT.....who loves Disney more than me and DD?????...........that's it - I'm getting prices on a Disney Cruise and I'm taking her!!!! Polled 4 places for prices and decided on the 3 day (good 3way to test our sea-worthiness)....decided on which one to go with on Wed and made the Ressie's on Saturday.....YES!!!! Oh yeah....I went the DH route and "announced" that I was going - didn't ask...hahaha - I think I realy caught him off guard.... Back to DD....I tell her.....she is soooooo excited.....and let me say that if my 19yr old college student gets this excited about a Disney cruise with mom I am filled with joy and am certainly not letting this opportunity pass me by!!

So....the details.....
3 day - June 21-24, 2007 (I said it was impulsive) on the Wonder
Cat 11 inside stateroom #6089 (travel agent assures me that mid-ship is best) - opted for inside stateroom simply because I'm still very unsure of the seasickness issues and don't want a pay for a view that I can't enjoy).
Cat 11....we don't care - it's just the 2 of us ...we're used to camping....we're going on DISNEY CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for Part #2.....Everything I need to know and everything I need to buy........

 

[LovableGluttons]

Ooohhh sounds great!!!

I'd love to take each of my kids on a Disney cruise with just myself.

 

[Caitsmama]

Hi Paula, from a fellow RI girl!! I will be waiting for your report - i am going on my first cruise this year too!

 

[pppiglet]

I was a first time cruiser on my DCL cruise in 2005. Let me tell you...you are going to be addicted! My next cruise was Feb 2006 on Carnival, and now our 3rd is coming up in May for our 25th anniversary on DCL!

I'm so happy for you DisneyFan and Caitsmama! I know exactly how you feel for your upcoming cruises!

 

[Dixielady908]

Well Paula going to have to watch for your report and see how your first cruise goes....Looking foward to reading it....enjoy and have a great cruise....


Denise

 

[Floridagram]

Mu aunt is a veteran of over 30 cruises. She gets really sick every time, or did until she got the transderm scop patches. She used to lose the first night of every cruise and now she is fine the entire time. You may want to get those from your doctor if motion sickness is an issue.

Have fun! I admire your telling DH you were going, I never had the guts to do it at the period of life. I can't wait to hear all about it, I am glad it won't be too long until you go.

 

[Tink rules]

Ooohhh sounds great!!!

I'd love to take each of my kids on a Disney cruise with just myself.

Oh Gluttons...You'd love to take anyone on a cruise!!! EVEN ME!!!

Paula...we're counting on you...

You've got to pack the world... Yeah right...

Have the time of your life!!! No Prob!!!

& TRY to out do the Gluttons on her trip report!!! Ok... Maybe not...

But we're dying to hear all about it!!!

Take LOTS of pictures!!!

& rebook while you are onboard!!!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Hey there caits mama!! I'm on the northwest corner but seeing that we live in the smallest state that still makes us practically neighbors!! BTW - DD that is going on the cruise with me is at URI.

OK - where was I?? Oh yes.....I've pinched myself for verification....the cruise is booked.... travel insurance booked....passports?? yikes - don't have those....we'll wing it this time and just take our birth certs.....and now the real fun begins....because the trip is a reality now....
1. check the DIS daily - as in often during the day
2. find every imaginable web site about Disney cruising - look at them until my eyes ache
3. check the disney travel site daily....why you ask?? Because my name is there....because I'm realy going on a cruise....maybe there will be an upgrade.... gotta check to see if anything on flights has been posted....

OK....ok....I don't need a reason for any if this - I LOVE IT!!!!

back to what I don't have.....did I mention that I work from home and have mostly done camping ?- that surely equally no clothes suitable for a cruise. A reason to buy new clothes - this is just getting better and better.....so I've bought some shirts and skirts and pj's....I may need a new suitcase (insert the whole camping thing again - it it wasn't for our WDW trip in 2000 we would still only have duffle bags) .

Last but not least....watched the Tracey Channel special sunday night and my planning packet with DVD came in the mail yesterday (promised DD that I would not watch it until she was home this weekend) - got another packet from WDW Travel today via travel agent regarding excursions - etc. Good reading for my day off tomorrow....

Thanks for reading - suggestions and comments welcome - I'll post again soon!!

 

[Babs417]

That is so great Im so excited for you. You will just love the cruise.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Quick update - DD and I watched the cruise DVD - LOVED IT!!

Played "fashion show" - showed DD the clothes I have bought for myself so far....told her that I'm getting all of mine now so that by the time she is done for the semester the shopping will me all about her.

 

[cdndizzylizzy]

So....the details.....
3 day - June 21-24, 2007 (I said it was impulsive) on the Wonder
Cat 11 inside stateroom #6089 (travel agent assures me that mid-ship is best) - opted for inside stateroom simply because I'm still very unsure of the seasickness issues and don't want a pay for a view that I can't enjoy).
Cat 11....we don't care - it's just the 2 of us ...we're used to camping....we're going on DISNEY CRUISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay tuned for Part #2.....Everything I need to know and everything I need to buy........

Hi Paula,

We had stateroom 6071, which is very close to yours, and experienced very little movement! It was just a few doors down from the Midship elevators, and I can confirm that it's a good way to go if you are prone to motion sickness. DD and I both get car sick, and being a first-time cruiser I was worried. She used the sea bands a few times and that was all she needed. I took Bonine first thing in the morning every day, starting the day we left, and did really well - it did not interfere with any cruising activities, including beer tasting!

Have a great trip! It's a great idea, but DH would never let DD and I go alone now that he has been on the Magic!

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Another update - I was able to do some of the online check-in today!!! Now it's real!!

Also....the 2 new bathing suits that I ordered came in the mail today - I must be going on a CRUISE!!!!!!!!

Decided to call the city hall and will go get another copy of my birth cert - just in case.....

 

[chepic]

disneyfanri:

Congrats on your up-coming trip. I too hail from the smallest state in the union and will be going on our first Disney cruise in Jan. We have cruised before, but not with the mouse. We have quite a few RI's going in Jan.

Have a great time and enjoy all your new cruise wear. I, too, am a camper, however we have an RV so I have drawers in which to put our clothes in...so no need for the duffle bag. A little tip for you....bring a duffle bag with you, that way you can pack your dirty clothes in it for the return flight, and you will have room in your luggage to pack your trinkets that you buy, and they will be safe during the flight. We do that every trip we go on, my husband got sick of me buying a new piece of luggage everywhere we went to bring the souvieners home!!!

cheryl

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

Another update - got an "official copy" of my birth cert. this week - good to go!!

next order of business....attire for Pirate Night!!

 

[MagicMe]

Very exciting!!!! I know that sometimes the anticipation and planning can be 1/2 the fun, but I also think booking so close will help you. You don't have time to worry about getting sick!! You'll love your cabin and it's location. We've stayed midship dick six both times and loved it!!!