*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 3

[Tod&Copper]

If it's the Med, it is so much a floating hotel from port to port. We dined with another DIS family, so we knew we'd have interaction. Also when traveling to Pisa, Rome... we met people and enjoyed their company. We hooked up with one family and did bits of Pisa and Rome with them - and ended up on the return train with them - my niece, Karen, interacted with the kids while the adults had a relaxing ride back.

There's just something about knowing you'll have sea days with people to want to interact beforehand.

Hi Lynne

Yes its the DCL 10 night med cruise, so there's 8 port days and 2 sea days. I think that's why I'm not so bothered, as I know that we will be really busy off the ship every day with hectic itineraries. On the 2 sea days, we will definitely just be chilling together, so we probably won't need much interaction.

The only DISers on our cruise who wanted to link were ourselves and the lady and her family running the thread, and she seems really nice, so I know I'm going to have a nice dinner companion

 

[binkytell]

I love seeing everyone looking gorgeous, but that's just me, wouldn't criticise anyone who didn't want to wear it or the other side of the coin, couldn't afford to buy formal wear.

its like weddings, you love to see what beautiful dresses everyone is wearing, thats what im looking forward to too

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/birkner_album/Disney%20Cruise%20Line/tuxedojunction.jpg[/IMG]
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your boys look so handsome in there tux's

Does the pre-cruise chat give you an indication of what the people you will be cruising with are like and how much fun they will be .... if that is so, god help us in June

if so DCL are going to have to issue ear plugs to wbta passengers

 

[magic123]

There is as much or as little as you want to do in Hilton Head....when we go....it's very low key and restful. A couple of good restaurants on the island are Salty Dog (in Harbor Town), Crazy Crab, and a favorite with the locals is the Sea Shack. The Sea Shack doesn't look like much but the food is delicious and they have everything you can imagine! But a note of warning....it's always crowded! They open at 5 pm in evenings and we got there at 4:30 pm and the line was 50 people deep! It's not a really big place either. We've only been able to make it for lunch....crowded but not as bad!

Harbor Town is a gated community where there are some really nice shops, restaurants, a pier where you can watch dolphins swimming around, look at all the yachts (and drool!), and a small courtyard where there are a couple of little bars, rocking chairs, and in the summer, some musical entertainment.

We've gone on the dolphin cruises (WHICH is not to be confused with the type of cruise we're going on! lol). The max. number of people is 6 and we went on the sunset watching. Great! So many dolphins!!!

We've been kayaking which was wonderful. You can rent bikes there at the resort, play shuffleboard, a pier for a little fishing, horseshoes, etc. There's a nice trail from the resort to the beach we go walking/running on....about 1 1/2 mile one way.

We love going down there every year. Our sons grew up with our beach trips at Hilton Head and it does feel like home every time we go.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask!!!

Thank you so much, that info has gone into my file, sounds really nice and relaxing. And I'm sure we will have questions and it's nice to know where to get some answers..... I.m sure we could spend our whole holiday rushing about, DH likes to see everything if he's never been somewhere....

margaret

 

[magic123]

Disney has a second pool for the Hilton Head resort that is right next to the ocean; they run regular shuttles to it from the resort. We liked going over there for walks on the beach.

Whenever we are driving in the US, we always make a point of making at least one visit per trip to Cracker Barrel and there is one in Hilton Head. It's a chain restaurant that we unfortunately don't have in Canada that offers a nice variety of homestyle meals at a reasonable price. Do love their Chicken 'n Dumplins and fried apples. Mmm!

Thanks for that Lorraine, I've seen Cracker Barrel in Orlando so will certainly give it a try.Was wondering about swimming in the ocean but not sure what it will be like in early october or if there are any dangers?

 

[LindaBabe]

John has a regular and white tux that we will bring. Some do dress up and some do not. I know that some men find it easier to rent a tux as saves room in packing. I don't think a suit is "too casual" personally it is just we like to get dressed up. Plus, I love the pics!!

I make my SIL and GK's dress up for the pics!! Here is one of my three "men" on a NYE cruise in 2007.

It's not a touchy subject, but each to their own really. We love to go with the dress code and wear appropriate. When DH was in the RAF he wore his mess dress uniform, since he retired last year he had worn a tux, but I bought him the full kilt outfit for last years WBTA.

I have to say from memory on last year's WBTA, the majority were dressed formal as it was a special cruise and we had 2 formal nights. We got friendly with an American couple last year who turned up for dinner in cruise casual and felt so out of place, they went back to their cabin, they regretted not making the effort.

All the previous DCL cruises we have done have either been christmas or a 7 night and again most people did make the effort. I have heard though that some people don't make an effort on the 3 and 4 night cruise, but certainly on the long cruises, the formal wear is definitely in the majority.

If you don't have a tux and want to wear a shirt and tie, then I think that's up to the individual what they are comfortable with.

I love seeing everyone looking gorgeous, but that's just me, wouldn't criticise anyone who didn't want to wear it or the other side of the coin, couldn't afford to buy formal wear.

When dh cruises he wears a suit. However, the old lady (that would be me) thinks guys (young or old) look HOT in tuxedos whether black coat or white! And a mess dress or kilt is worth of a swoon

The young fellow at our table one cruise in his baseball hat and shirttail hanging out - not so much.

 

[magic123]

I just bought a pretty new dark purple cocktail dress for Vilians Night. Ebay is a wonderful thing. I just hope it fits. If I knew how to post pictures I would post one. Technologically challenged.

That sounds great....... but what's Vilians Night? and what other special nights do I need to know about. So glad you got a dress after lots of trying!
margaret

 

[magic123]

Last week's Recap covered 64 pages of posts (not counting the info pages at the beginning of this thread).

Yep, at that rate, we'd go through about 5 threads before the cruise.

Yes it’s addictive, and it’s great you do a catch up. With so much chat it would be easy to miss something. Just in the last few days I’ve been going to bed later than normal…..

 

[GA-yaya]

I'm going to give all you dieters who struggle - some serious sympathy and maybe inspiration. I started going to the gym in August 2008 when Fibromyalgia go so bad I was miserable. First did simple stretching exercises in the pool - then more and more. In March 2009, I weighed 267 pounds. I've lost 55 pounds since then and still struggling (I'd like to lose another 55), BUT my blood glucose is under control and I am off one of my BP meds AND all my asthma meds. If I could offer anyone some advice - GET MOVING! And drink LOTS of water.

I taped my cord to the baseboard with duct tape - and people wonder why I pack the stuff for a cruise.

LindaBabe, Way to Go!!!! That is awesome that you've been able to lose weight, and more importantly, be able to reduce your meds! That's terrific!

And, you can never go wrong with duct tape - so many uses...I always have some in my suitcase, too.

 

[GA-yaya]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to confirm that we will in fact not be able to go now this year. The adoption we are in the process of will not be final and we are unable to take the children out of the country until it is. Hopefully there will be another transatlantic next year. If not, I think the children we have are much more worth missing a cruise!

You have a wonderful reason to skip out on a cruise. Congratulations on the adoption of your children!!! Good luck with everything - I hope the process continues to go smoothly.

 

[auntlynne]

That sounds great....... but what's Vilians Night? and what other special nights do I need to know about. So glad you got a dress after lots of trying!
margaret

Villains Tonight is one of the stage shows; based on what I've read here, many people wear black or purple in honor of the villain in Little Mermaid.

If they're doing Golden Mickeys stage show, that is sometimes a dress night, with gold being the main color (this show came off the Magic about a year ago, but is now on the Wonder - so might not apply to us).

Prince and Princess night is traditionally formal night.

Captain's Gala is often semi-formal.

Expect two formal nights and one semi-formal. Does that sound about right, folks?

 

[Namsupak]

Congrats!! Graduation is definitely a great reason for a cruise! I was trying to think of what I coerced DH into for my graduation from grad school... I think it was a Jimmy Buffett concert in Vegas.

Being from the Virginia area, are you by chance a Dave Matthews fan

No I'm not really a DMB fan at all, but tons of my friends are. A Jimmy Buffet concert in Vegas sounds like an awesome grad gift

 

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

I really need to get back on the dieting wagon. IF I lose enough I'll "think" about getting one dress for formal night......
.

I am in the same boat...need to lose before buying new dresses

 

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

Claire: Buy a dress! I'm sure you'd look fabulous! Oh, and by the way, I've lost 3 lbs. in the last 10 days by walking the dogs every morning and eating reasonably carefully. If I can do it, anyone can!

Later, kids!

Great Job!!!

 

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

I'm going to give all you dieters who struggle - some serious sympathy and maybe inspiration. I started going to the gym in August 2008 when Fibromyalgia go so bad I was miserable. First did simple stretching exercises in the pool - then more and more. In March 2009, I weighed 267 pounds. I've lost 55 pounds since then and still struggling (I'd like to lose another 55), BUT my blood glucose is under control and I am off one of my BP meds AND all my asthma meds. If I could offer anyone some advice - GET MOVING! And drink LOTS of water.

Great Job at the 55LBS

Villains Tonight is one of the stage shows; based on what I've read here, many people wear black or purple in honor of the villain in Little Mermaid.

If they're doing Golden Mickeys stage show, that is sometimes a dress night, with gold being the main color (this show came off the Magic about a year ago, but is now on the Wonder - so might not apply to us).

Prince and Princess night is traditionally formal night.

Captain's Gala is often semi-formal.

Expect two formal nights and one semi-formal. Does that sound about right, folks?

That sounds about right from our last cruise.

 

[birkner]

That sounds great....... but what's Vilians Night? and what other special nights do I need to know about. So glad you got a dress after lots of trying!
margaret

Here are some pics of Villains nights outfits:

 

[PFlamingo]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to confirm that we will in fact not be able to go now this year. The adoption we are in the process of will not be final and we are unable to take the children out of the country until it is. Hopefully there will be another transatlantic next year. If not, I think the children we have are much more worth missing a cruise!

So sorry you won't be joining us. It would've been a great way to celebrate. But, you have an excellent reason to celebrate later!

I'm going to give all you dieters who struggle - some serious sympathy and maybe inspiration. I started going to the gym in August 2008 when Fibromyalgia go so bad I was miserable. First did simple stretching exercises in the pool - then more and more. In March 2009, I weighed 267 pounds. I've lost 55 pounds since then and still struggling (I'd like to lose another 55), BUT my blood glucose is under control and I am off one of my BP meds AND all my asthma meds. If I could offer anyone some advice - GET MOVING! And drink LOTS of water.

Wow, Linda! That's awesome! I finally hit the point where my doctor said lose the weight or deal with diabetes (among other things). My brother has been diabetic for several years now, and has had to start giving himself injections in his stomach. The thought of that terrifies me. Yeah that's how my priorities work: heart attack or stroke? whatever... needle anywhere in my body .

I have been trying to buy on Ebay but I keep getting outbidded at the last moment

I'm one of those bad people who bids in the last seconds. Sometimes I win, sometimes not. I'm sure we're not bidding on the same things, though!

Seriously people!!!!!

IF we carry on posting at this rate we'll be on WBTA board number 9 or 10 by the time this cruise comes along

And your point is?

Ok so I'm not trying to start any arguments with this post as I know it is a touchy subject...


But how formal is formal on DCL. Some Cruises we have gotten away with a suit and others we needed a tux to fit in.

We can each bring a few suits, however if that is "too casual" for Formal Night we will rent a few tuxs from Cruise line formal.

Thoughts?

Dennis and I love to dress up, but rarely get the chance to. He might bring a tux or just wear his "dress blues" (retired Air Force ). You will be fine wearing suits.

Someone mentioned formal nights on a 4-night DCL cruise. We've been on two, but neither had a formal or even semi-formal night. The closest the dress code ever came to formal was "dressy," which really wasn't very.


Thanks for all the kudos on my 3lbs. Any encouragement is quite welcome. Oh, and I bought the dresses first, as my incentive to lose the weight. I have to be able to justify them. There go my priorities again - health issues... meh; not getting into the dresses after spending the money on them... NEVER!!

(Okay, I started working on this, then got distracted watching "Big Bang Theory." Now I have to go back and catch up... again.)

 

[Chirpee]

Welcome Karen and Ed. We are Sandy and Tony from California Bay Area. Have done the longer cruises and absolutely love it!! Ask plenty of questions if you need information this group totally is knowledgeable and friendly

With that said---UK help needed. Six days in London----suggestions please.

So far doing Buckingham Palace, Bath, a play, tea...........

Hampton Court, Henry VIII's palace is well worth a visit. Can't remember if you need to pay extra to have the audio tour, but if you do it's well worth it.

Windsor Castle is not far away from London. The Great Park is also there http://www.theroyallandscape.co.uk/

 

[Goofy Adpi]

Ok so I'm not trying to start any arguments with this post as I know it is a touchy subject...


But how formal is formal on DCL. Some Cruises we have gotten away with a suit and others we needed a tux to fit in.

We can each bring a few suits, however if that is "too casual" for Formal Night we will rent a few tuxs from Cruise line formal.

Thoughts?

I'm right there with you. I'm nervous about being underdressed. I don't have fancy dresses, at least ones that I didn't wear to a Prom. And when you start considering limited budgets, limited suitcase space/weight... for a woman what is "dressy enough?"

 

[Tod&Copper]

I'm right there with you. I'm nervous about being underdressed. I don't have fancy dresses, at least ones that I didn't wear to a Prom. And when you start considering limited budgets, limited suitcase space/weight... for a woman what is "dressy enough?"

I never really think about making it a formal posh dress, I just use the rule that we always used for the "Mess" appropriate dress rules when DH was in the military. Formal dress for ladies is a dress that covers the ankles.

That could range from a really pretty gown or in fact, as they are very fashionable just now, a pretty maxi dress, which is a fraction of the price of a gown.

Different accessories or pashmina could make the dress look different for both formal nights so you don't have to take 2 dresses

My DD has a gorgeous maxi dress that she is taking on our next cruise. She is going to wear it with pretty heels and bling for formal night, but it will look equally good dressed down for another day or evening with flip flops versatile! I think her maxi dress only cost me $40

 

[Pinky166]

Ok so I'm not trying to start any arguments with this post as I know it is a touchy subject...


But how formal is formal on DCL. Some Cruises we have gotten away with a suit and others we needed a tux to fit in.

We can each bring a few suits, however if that is "too casual" for Formal Night we will rent a few tuxs from Cruise line formal.

Thoughts?

I really think it's down to what you want to wear/feel comfortable in. We like to dress up as it makes the evening seem a little bit more special.

My DH wil definately be taking a suit with a few different shirts & ties, he owns a Tux so may well dust it off & pack that too. I know he will get a lot of use out of the suit as he will wear it to Palo's as well as formal/semi formal.

Again with the British slang - what does "I've lost the plot" mean?

Sorry Lynne.

It was mean't as in I have gone of the rails / not doing well with my dieting.

He was always going to the drama club and we did tease him for always going up there, little did we know we should have hung in there. He was cute back then, but gorgeous now.... someone should have snared him

Looks as though it paid off for him.

Don't let Stevie read that last comment.

Again, thinking of you all I'll kick you up the butt any time you want

Thanks.

I'll hold you to that, you can start Monday!

I wait until the last 20 seconds and then jump in with the max I would pay for the item. I have to say I am usually successful 95% of the time. I don't ever bid in the first instance, I only watch the item till the end. If you bid, it just bumps the price up. Hover then pounce

That's what I do, I normally win the item too.

I don't understand why people start bidding so early, you just end up paying more!

Our June cruise only has 27 pages of posts No-one is chatting at all

My first cruise was like that too, it was quite disappointing as I was excited and wanted to talk to fellow cruisers about it. We did a small FE but that was all.

Then the Dream MV was a bit weird too as no one wanted to do any meets etc because it was a new ship, lots to explore, so we only ended up doing FE.

Whereas this one......I struggle to keep up each day! BUT I love it as it makes me even more excited every day and I can't wait to meet all of my new friends!

I hope your Med thread picks up as you get nearer.

Yes its the DCL 10 night med cruise, so there's 8 port days and 2 sea days. I think that's why I'm not so bothered, as I know that we will be really busy off the ship every day with hectic itineraries. On the 2 sea days, we will definitely just be chilling together, so we probably won't need much interaction.

The only DISers on our cruise who wanted to link were ourselves and the lady and her family running the thread, and she seems really nice, so I know I'm going to have a nice dinner companion

At least you have lots to keep you busy with so many Ports.

A nice dinner companion is always a good thing....but I doubt they will be as nice as your tablemates for this cruise!

I am in the same boat...need to lose before buying new dresses

Good luck to you!