Sept 17 2005 Magic - am i alone on the ship?

[Tammy1]

Finally, here is a site where I got generic extra batteries two for 16.00 (one real one costs $55.00) http://www.sterlingtek.com/twocanb14bap.html I have used them for 6 months or so and can't tell the difference.

Jen, do the batteries usually last for 6 months???

 

[lds0191]

we're going too! me, dh, dd4 and my parents celebrating their 50th anniversary! this is our 1st dcl cruise.

 

[rotary2808]

Hi everyone!!!

Welcome lds0191!!! We guarantee you and your family will have a blast.

Tammy, good luck. And remember, breathe and try not to rip their head off. As much as you may want to, try to restrain yourself. Update us when you get back.

Emily

 

[donaldsgal]

Welcome welcome welcome lds0191!!!

Check out post 1250 on page 84 of the thread for the vital info on the cruise. We're so glad to have you!

 

[TeaforWendy]

Hi all. We had a great, great weekend with the "cousins" as our DD calls them. BIL did arrive tipsy...

SIL was good all weekend until Sun morning -- And pardon me, but I have to give a bit of bakground, our neighbors next door live at the Lake full time and are great neighbors, do a lot for us, watch our place, let us use their electricity for our dock, let us use their cable, etc. Their nephew (13) who we have known since he was DD's age (4) was down for the weekend by himself and we took him out with us tubing, skiing, fishing, etc. on Saturday. So Sunday morning, SIL says, he's not going with us today is he? And DH says, of course he is, I'm not leaving a kid behind when he sees us all out on the SeeDoo and boat, etc. and she throws a hissy fit. It was so mean. Our DD loves this kid, etc. I just walked out of the house. He did join us and it was great. He and our nephew got along great and our niece that is his age thought he was cute, etc. I don't know why SIL does stuff like that. Just to make my DH feel bad I think. It esp. made me mad -- I'm an only child and so is my DD and that someone would leave a kid behind is just plain MEAN. DH would NEVER do that though. Why I love him!

Anyway, she got over it and it was a great weekend.

Sue, sorry abt your DGM. A loss is always hard, even when expected and even after someone has lived a good long life.

My DH is originally from Flint, MI and grew up going to Cedar Point, too. We went to a wedding there a few years ago, but the park wasn't open. I don't go on roller coasters or many rides, tho. A wimp.

Jen, your diet reminds me of how my DH teases his older DB. DH is abt an inch or 2 taller than him so teases him and accuses him of sewing XL tags into M shirts, etc. It's pretty funny. And funny how men want to be bigger and we want to be smaller.

My scale is one my parents received as a wedding gift in 1960, but it is the only scale I've ever had. It travelled to college with me, to law school in Florida, to a year in DC working and back to Missouri. It is old and yucky, but it's the only one I trust. DH got me a nice new one a few years back. It sits in our other bathroom. I have to have my old ucky one.

Back to work, lots to do...

Good luck Tammy. Let us know what happens. If you don't get resolution, follow up with a letter.

 

[jennat]

Welcome ids0191 (that name is going to kill me)! It is great to have you. There are a lot of four year olds in our group (four other boys and two other girls so your daughter should make friends fast. By virtue of logging in...you now already have friends! US (and by the way we are awesome ) Tell us more about yourselves. We call ourselves the Flip Floppin Castaways (FFC) and like Jenny said, there is a recap on everything pertinent on post 1250 page 84. See the bottom of my signiture to other links regarding us. I have a list of everyone and thier vitals (and not so vitals) if you would like a copy. If you would like to add more info on yourself, PM it to me (names, ages, room #, cell #(hurricane), palo res, excursions, occupations, e-mail...basically anything you think we would need to completely assume your identity!) But then again, you would have all of ours so you could just take our identity Foiled again! Anyway, welcome, please join in strong so we can get to know you!

PAM....pam and lee where are you??? Karen (nursegardner and KD) are you out there??? Tracy.....Like Jenny said "Don't go in the shadows....come in to the light...the Disney light" And Trisha you have no excuse....don't give me that, two little boys excuse....I'm going to have to bait Steve out of seclusion. Steve....architects like to wear polka dots....

Tammy, waiting anxiously to hear.

I may have already asked this but....is anyone using "The perfect gift"? I think it sounds like a fun thing to do for my overinduldged children. Anyone?

I don't know how long the batteries last. I lost my camera before I could find out. I feel like I am always changing the battery but I take sooooo many pics, I think realistically it is every 250 pics, maybe. I haven't had any problems but at $8. a piece I KNOW I have gotten my moneys worth.

Wendy, What is the story with db and dsil. Did you make her mad, didja, didja? How was the lake?

Ragdoll Good to hear from you.....I seriously wonder how I am going to get through 4th grade much less the rest

I am kindof getting back into these smilies!

 

[rotary2808]

Wendy, sounds like your "dear" SIL could use a good swift kick and a lesson in manners. You have every right to include whoever you want in your activities. Didn't she invite herself anyway? Talk about ungrateful. Oh well, some people are just like that, nothing you can say or do to change that.

Jen, I thought about doing the Perfect Gift this time for all of us, but I decided not to. You should give Shirley a call though. She has a ton of wonderful ideas and will totally be able to help you decide on what to do. She can work with your price range or a theme you might have in mind. She doesn't really let people send stuff to go in the baskets anymore b/c people were sending way too much and it left her with little to put in them and that is where the cost comes from. She might let you send one or two little things though, if there was something specific you wanted for them.

Later everyone,
Emily

 

[Tammy1]

Well....that was not so bad.

He was very let me use the word HELPFUL here and he jumped right on it. Actually he told me he was working on it since Sunday. We moved up to a Cat 6 with a $1600.00 saving, he told me they're not giving the Fl. resident rate to inside Cat 10 quads and probably won't.
Well I called DCL and they said the same thing...I don't know people what to do about the kids room..... Anywho.....he also told me if there are any cancelations that I can get them into a cat 8 with the Fl. Residents rate. That would actually come out cheaper...than the Cat 10 the're in now. To me it sounds a little discrimitive. The kids were all born and raised in Fl. so you either give the rate or you don't. At least that's what I told TA and Disney. 'Course they didn't say much at all at that comment Don't worry I was still using my nice voice, not the mean voice my kids know.

Guess it comes down to me staying on top of it and continuing to call. To me if a TA is going to take over everything for you, seems like they would check your status on your ressie from time to time to see if there can be any changes. Or else why did you go through them by golly!!!

So my stateroom number will change, don't know what that is as of yet. Will keep you updated on room number and outcome.

Thanks for all your support my disbuddies

 

[TeaforWendy]

Tammy, sounds pretty good and a Cat. 6 sounds wonderful. Do you feel your stomach muscles unclenching?

I have a sordid history with SIL -- she's my DH's sister. She is the consummate control freak and she can't just let things be what they are if she hasn't planned them. What was funny was she made a big deal abt how it should be a "family" day which if you knew how many "family" events she has cancelled b/c fancier friends invited her somewhere or something...Anyway, I could go on all day. And yes, Emily, they did invite themselves and what is more -- not only did they not offer to buy gas for the boat and seedoo, when DH and BIL went to fill the gas tank, BIL filled up their minivan and we paid for that too! We went out for dinner Sat and Sun night and they didn't even offer to buy our dinner. I must confess I was a bit shocked! The flipside is we DID have a great weekend and DD is still beaming. I am totally sore from skiing (hadn't done it for a few yrs) and taking the kids on the Seedoo at 60+ mph. Ouch.

lds -- welcome. If you stick around, you will have fun here. Flip Floppin Castaways rock. My DD is 4, too. We cruised for the first time last Sept when she was 3 and she loved the kids' club and her "counselors" -- so I think it will be even better this year. Bring her dress up clothes. One of the best sights is seeing all the girls dressed up in their princess clothes.

Jen, I'm trying the 2.5 gallon bags too. I read you can suck out the extra air with a straw. I thought they would be good for the Princess dresses. Must practice and report back.

I will have nothing to wear if I don't get serious abt the diet.

 

[NoWorriesMate]

Well Done Tammy!
nothing like a good outcome - especially when you can achieve it without so much as raising your voice.

IDS welcome to the group.

Jenny you do write great posts. it sounded like you had a great weekend.

Wendy as they say you can pick your friends but not your relatives (well inlaws you get a little control over but not enough). and think of it this way by having such a stressful SIL you had some really good stories to tell your friends.

everyone else Hi.

time to run have to call Disney and make some more PS and book MNSSHP!
wow this is going to be a great holiday!!!!

 

[TeaforWendy]

Just checking to see if my ticker shows up?

 

[rotary2808]

Tammy, way to go, girl. Way to stick it to them! Some of that is still irritating, but at least for the most part it is over.

Wendy, the next time SIL tries to invite herself along, tell her it is just a "family thing" and they aren't invited. And if they show up on their own, you just go do your own thing and avoid them.

Just another work day around here. Little stressed right now. This too shall pass. (Steal a quote from my friends.)

Emily

 

[WinMO]

Hi everyone:

Sorry I haven't been active. I have been following along somewhat.

Jen, I feel honored that you reference new member information to my message inquiry.

We have been on the 4-day Disney cruises and have never been able to do Palo so we are hoping to go this time. What nights or brunches do you recommend as we are "hoping" our DS will want to go eat with the other kids in the Kid's Club at least 1 evening if that is possible.

Can you make your shore excursion/Palo reservations at the Disney Cruise website or do you need to call them in order to do that?

I have been hearing mixed reviews regarding the Dolphin Encounter in St. Maarten- some people said it was a definite must while others said it wasn't worth the money. So, I am still undecided.

My 2 can't cruise without items: (1) camera (2) small purse for key cards (because I am always losing them).

I enjoyed the postings about taking a blender along.

Is anyone else having a hard time trying to convince their DH that we need to "dress up" (shutter, the thought) for the Formal and semi-formal. Do you think slacks and polo shirts would be fine for the little boys? Their big night will probably be the Pirate night (the night we dine in Parrot Cay, correct)?

It's supposed to be 103 for the second day in St. Louis. Yikes. I am so ready to get away NOW.

What was the big July 17th announcement? I never saw anything more mentioned about it.

Pam

 

[donaldsgal]

BIG storm hitting right now. Don't worry - I've got the computer unplugged. I'm supposed to leave for work in about 20 minutes... I wish I didn't have to go!

WinMO, you can make ressies online for Palo/shore excursions at 90 days out if you're a repeat DCL cruiser (which it sounds like you are). I heard Thursday is a good night to do Palo because that's when lobster is served in the main dining room and the Palo lobster dish is supposed to be great. We're doing Friday night - what better way to end our cruise? We're also doing brunch on Monday... you can only do brunch on sea days.

However, I'm not sure how many more ressies are available online. DCL probably held back ressies for some cruisers (namely the cat. 1-3 people who book through concierge onboard, so they have to save some for them, and people without internet access or just don't know you can book online). If the cat 1-3 people don't want the ressies, they get released for general booking (so I've heard), so some should be available to book onboard if you don't get them online. I didn't see the Dolphin Encounter available online (of course it may be because we've got a shore excursion scheduled that would make it impossible for to do both; DCL site filters things so you can book two excursions that need you in different places at the same time).

I'm all for getting everyone dressed up, but some people won't. I think a nice button down shirt and dark slacks for your kidsd should be fine. The polo shirt would definitely work on the casual attire nights.

Okay, off to work (booooo.... hisssssssssssssss).

 

[WinMO]

Thanks so much for the info. I am going to try to make our Palo reservations now.

Your dog is darling!!

 

[TeaforWendy]

WinMO, Pirate Night is Tuesday, St. Maarten day, regardless of what restaurant you are in.

Also, I've heard sunset is the best time in Palo. I'm guessing 6:30? We ate at 8pm last year and missed it, but the food was wonderful. We have booked for Thursday night at 6:30 this year. I actually liked the brunch even better than dinner. Must be the face stuffing ability of a brunch coupled with wonderful foods.

The more formal nights (but really every night) are great opportunities for family photos so coordinated outfits are popular. That being said, you will see everything. I wore a ballgown for Formal night, the woman who shared our table wore jeans and a t-shirt with sequins on it. I think you aren't suppossed to wear jeans in the dining rooms, but no one said a thing or even looked strange at her. I think it's whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[jennat]

Pam! I think whatever you put your kids in is fine, especially since he is five. Last time we went and Trenton was five he went in shorts and it was either fine or I was to oblivious to notice....either way....worked for me! Now he is 9 so I am feeling a little more pressure. I have a pair of kahkis that I may put him in both nights (last time they didn't eat with us to many times). I'm really not sure how much I care...maybe I should dig a little deeper. I have been looking at e-bay to find a tux..thought it might be fun. Who knows (who cares) Where you are for formal night depends on which rotation you get.

Tammy, I am not sure I get what happened. Basically, was it good. You said you got back $1600. but you were overcharged $2000. was the $400. for an upgrade? You know me, need a little hand holding. Are you Happy?
Wendy, I was loving the visual of you sucking on a straw to get the air out of a zip lock. I think we need a picture of that on the pic site with some kind of clever caption. I will gladly trade you sil. I call my sil "Wednesday" I am going to the "sterile zone" to babysit tomorrow morning. Yeah for me. Hopefully, I can remember all the rules and not ruin the child for life. Are things slowing down this week at work?

Michelle, Remind me of your vac schedule again (and tell me what the initials of the hotels mean...) I can't imagine the packing nightmare!

Susan, How was Estes Park? Are you back yet?

 

[donaldsgal]

Jen, if I remember correctly, Michelle was staying at SSR - Saratoga Springs Resort and BWV - Boardwalk Villas. If not Boardwalk, then Beach Club villas. She's staying in villas, this I know. QUIT PRESSURING ME!!!!

Just wondering when you all thought we'd start getting our cruise documents. I think our TA (who has been wonderful, by the way... I keep reading all these threads, not counting Tammy's, who are so bad. We booked through Mouse Ear Vacations/Cruising Co. Etc. and really lucked out!) said we should get them late July/August. Can this be true? I'd LOVE to get them shortly!

I got my birth certificate in the mail over the weekend. I had to request a new one since the one I had didn't have a raised seal. So I'm off tomorrow to get my passport application (for when we go to Guatemala someday to pick up DSis's adopted daughter), and I needed the BC with raised seal for that. You have to send away your BC with the application and then they send it back. It takes 4-6 weeks. 4 weeks from today is August 25 (yes, folks, I DO almost have a Master's Degree, and that brilliant math up there goes to prove it ) and then 2 more weeks onto that would be sometime in Sept (hey, it's a master's in counseling, not MATH!). I worry about not getting it back before the cruise. Hmmm. I'll have to get the incredibly friendly, amazingly cheerful, indescribably helpful clerk of court workers (sense the sarcasm? I think these people's sisters are the BMV ladies) to give me their input. Or I'll just ask my wise and practical older sister tonight when I get home. But I have this problem.... with waiting to make a decision.... see I'm not good at it.... and it bugs me when I have an idea..... to have to wait...... to decide....cause I'd rather decide... right now. Um, yeah.

Admitting you have a problem is the first step, or so I hear.

Later friends!

P.S. Pam, thanks for complimenting Oliver. He's quite breathtaking, no? And glad to help out with the cruise info. This obsessive compulsive planning had to pay off sometime, right? Someone's words under their avatar (screenname image) said EXCESSIVE compulsive... now THAT'S what I'M talkin' about!

 

[rotary2808]

Jenny, I think it will be closer till mid or late August before we get our doc's. I just saw a thread on the main page that the repo cruisers just got their's. If you get lucky maybe you'll have your passport in time for the cruise. If not, you do have another copy of your BC right? Might want to have one on hand just in case.

Later,
Emily

 

[Tammy1]

Jen, the $1600.00 was saved on DH and my cabin even with the upgrade. If I could have gotten the Fl. discount for the Cat 10 the kids are in it would have been an additional $400.00 in saving...but for that I have to check on cancelations and move them to a cat 8, I know it confuses me also I guess it shows I just care about the money...but hey that's like on board credit to me right now...or like I told DH a laser printer to go with the new camera..if we ever make up our minds about that!! (him more than me)

Jenny, you do want to play with fire, about that b/c girl.....I hope you don't run into any problems getting it back in time. We want you on the cruise!!!! When we come back we're going to start the process of getting all of ours for the next cruise

I tell you what we have GOT to get together an exchange SIL stories, each one I hear about is funnier than the last and brings up memories of my own SIL's we'd have to pick our time though some DH might take offense...funny mine will agree with everything I have to say and bring up stories of his own

Hope everyone has a nice evening, going to turn in early have a very early day tomorrow