Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[ShinyDaisy]

Thanks! My FIL passed away before I ever met my DH but my MIL always said that the expected events, while difficult were not as bad as one thought but the the unexpected things are what get you. Jane is a very smart lady and totally correct.

Case in point - my Dad was color blind and proud as a peacock with his new green car! I saw a gold car on the road not too long ago - same make, model and color! I laughed, and then I cried, and then I laughed again. Green - gold, all the same to him. He always told goofy jokes and when I hear one on the radio I have the same reaction. He is in a better place, he went through a lot before he passed away that he should not have had to but life is what life is. I miss him a lot but the memories will live forever in my heart.

Aww, Gail, I'm sorry; you and Jane are both wise. There are many similarities in our stories; thanks for sharing yours. Father's Day can be...I don't know what to say, except...Thanks.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Gail I can't say it will get easier, I don't think it does. My Dad has been gone five years next month. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and given 10 - 12 weeks to live on my 7th week of pregnancy. We found out we were finally lucky to be pregnant and with twins and then raced to the hospital to find out Dad was leaving us. He died on my 18th week (11 weeks from diagnosis). It was hardest 11 weeks of my life as he was so very ill and so was I, yet I organised everything for him as he was my 'best mate'. I still talk to him and we talk about him every day with the kids. We lost my FIL in the UK the day before my birthday last year, so now we have no more Grandpas for the kids. First year is the hardest tho', so thinking about you tomorrow (your time).

I do like the way your DH hitches a lift home from camp and brings you the washing and probably needs dropping back. He sounds like he's reliving his teenage years!

How odd we all got emails about the cruise and there's an overpayment. Bit of a worry BBangel has actually got snail mail incorrectly too.

I've been on day two of my curtain making course and come home to find the house ransacked and empty. I hope they are all at the DIY shop and not the local after hours emergency doctor again (Oli stuck Blu-Tack up his nose during Easter holidays).

 

[glindamood]

Aww, Gail, I'm sorry; you and Jane are both wise. There are many similarities in our stories; thanks for sharing yours. Father's Day can be...I don't know what to say, except...Thanks.

Gail I can't say it will get easier, I don't think it does. My Dad has been gone five years next month. He was diagnosed with a brain tumour and given 10 - 12 weeks to live on my 7th week of pregnancy. We found out we were finally lucky to be pregnant and with twins and then raced to the hospital to find out Dad was leaving us. He died on my 18th week (11 weeks from diagnosis). It was hardest 11 weeks of my life as he was so very ill and so was I, yet I organised everything for him as he was my 'best mate'. I still talk to him and we talk about him every day with the kids. We lost my FIL in the UK the day before my birthday last year, so now we have no more Grandpas for the kids. First year is the hardest tho', so thinking about you tomorrow (your time).

I do like the way your DH hitches a lift home from camp and brings you the washing and probably needs dropping back. He sounds like he's reliving his teenage years!

How odd we all got emails about the cruise and there's an overpayment. Bit of a worry BBangel has actually got snail mail incorrectly too.

I've been on day two of my curtain making course and come home to find the house ransacked and empty. I hope they are all at the DIY shop and not the local after hours emergency doctor again (Oli stuck Blu-Tack up his nose during Easter holidays).

and right back at you. He is still my Daddy and in Ohio or heaven, I will honor him.

DH - I will NOT be doing his laundry, he can do it himself. And, I offered to take them back to camp as the lawn needs mowed and he has to get measured for the tux for Drew's wedding so I did have my motives. I guess, given the lawn needs mowed, I could offer to do his laundry - or not. I have a hair appointment later this morning so we will go out then and get the running around done and take the rest however it comes.

Woke up in the middle of the night to some rustling in the closet and of course as soon as one moves in bed, the dogs think it is time to go outside so as I am rolling out of bed - it's a MOUSE (of the non-Mickey variety). We do get them in the fall (one of the 'benefits' of living in the woods) but generally when it is hot they don't bother coming in. Not a happy girl here, think we will stop at the Home Depot and get some something for them.

Well, after that lovely story, I have nothing else to report. Have a grand day and enjoy!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Gail maybe the mouse was nesting and making babies as it's Spring/Summer in Ohio? We have had one move into the roof space and it's waking up at least one kid and one adult at the moment and DH has to do something about it but keeps getting sidetracked? I don't blame the mouse, it's getting down to -2C at night now and I'd be making a bed on the insulation too. I hear you on the dogs waking up, we have the same problem but I'm not letting Choco out at 0200!

Has anyone bought the $99 package from Shutters before? I know the kids will want a few pics and DH & I don't often get in pics as I hate them (and we are too busy taking them ourselves). Is it worth it, what's the quality of the shots like (we have a few friends who are prof.photographers who question ship photography)?

 

[glindamood]

Gail maybe the mouse was nesting and making babies as it's Spring/Summer in Ohio? We have had one move into the roof space and it's waking up at least one kid and one adult at the moment and DH has to do something about it but keeps getting sidetracked? I don't blame the mouse, it's getting down to -2C at night now and I'd be making a bed on the insulation too. I hear you on the dogs waking up, we have the same problem but I'm not letting Choco out at 0200!

Has anyone bought the $99 package from Shutters before? I know the kids will want a few pics and DH & I don't often get in pics as I hate them (and we are too busy taking them ourselves). Is it worth it, what's the quality of the shots like (we have a few friends who are prof.photographers who question ship photography)?

We stopped at Home Depot yesterday and I purchased the plug-in devices that send out the radio frequency that just makes them leave. I don't need to kill them (or have to deal with that part of it after David leaves for camp again) but I do want them out. I used those once before and they worked but the devices don't last forever. Hopefully this one will make it's exit and take the rest with it.

Shutters - I always have one eye closed, a stupid look on my face, my mouth open, not looking at the camera or just not an attractive shot so we rarely get any pictures. We don't even stop and have them do the boarding picture as we never get it. That said, we have been known to purchase their ship pictures sometimes - like on the PC cruise when their photographer got off the ship and took pics of the Wonder going through so if, on the off chance they manage to snap one of us that is good, I just buy it.

Well, leaving shortly to take DH and one of the boys from his troop that works at camp too back to camp. Today is the beginning of week one and the first week of campers. Raining and not very nice out but hopefully it will clear up and be a nice day.

 

[ShinyDaisy]

Happy

Father's

day!!


Hope it's been a good day for everyone!!

was definitely appreciated, Gail!

 

[socababy]

Hello everyone! I am hoping to book this cruise very soon! When is everyone PIF date? I'm hoping for an IGT or OGT once the PIF date has come and gone. This is a somewhat last minute decision to do this cruise. It would be just my dd4 and I celebrating dd's birthday. Her bday isn't until Oct 2 but I can't go that week since it is Open House that week at the kid's school. I can't bring my 2 boys along since I am taking them out for 2 weeks in Dec when we do the Panama Canal cruise. My plan is to have my IL's get the boys out of school early that Friday and meet dd and I at Legoland since we live just about 30 minutes from there. The boys can't go on the cruise but at least they can have some fun too.

I do still have to talk to my MIL to ask her if she'd watch the boys while dd and I are on the cruise. She watched all 3 kids while my friend and I did the 15 night Hawaii cruise. She seemed to have survived well enough but will enough time have passed for her to do another week? Fingers crossed, I'll be asking her today!

 

[erbie]

Has anyone bought the $99 package from Shutters before? I know the kids will want a few pics and DH & I don't often get in pics as I hate them (and we are too busy taking them ourselves). Is it worth it, what's the quality of the shots like (we have a few friends who are prof.photographers who question ship photography)?

We split a package with my cousin last time, and we each ended up with several nice pics. The Disney photographers often get some really good shots, especially of the kids. When we did the PC Repo in 2005, we did a package, because they got so many great ones of my then four year old. You could always see what they have and decide later if you want to buy a package. They have different levels on the ship and you can group your pictures together each day. Just stack them behind one and the staff will know you're holding them and usually won't put them away.

 

[erbie]

Hello everyone! I am hoping to book this cruise very soon! When is everyone PIF date? I'm hoping for an IGT or OGT once the PIF date has come and gone. This is a somewhat last minute decision to do this cruise. It would be just my dd4 and I celebrating dd's birthday.

Welcome! Hope your MIL agrees and you and your DD get to come with us!

 

[erbie]

Hey, nobody noticed! We're in double digits! 97 days! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

Also, SIL is saying she may send MIL and FIL on the cruise with us, and she may come too. The kids would LOVE that and it'd be nice to spend some unencumbered time with them. MIL and FIL went on our first cruise with us when dd10 was just a year old.

 

[glindamood]

Wahooooooooooo! I did notice it when I looked to see if Delta changed our flights again (they didn't - 5:30AM must be as early as they can get it) but forgot by the time I got over here. It was 14 weeeks yesterday so we are moving right along.

Enjoy!!!

 

[erbie]

Does anyone know what timezone the DCL system uses? I want to try for Palo ressies on the 25th, but can I do it at 9:00 Pacific, or do I have to wait for the timezone I'm in to be midnight?

 

[glindamood]

Does anyone know what timezone the DCL system uses? I want to try for Palo ressies on the 25th, but can I do it at 9:00 Pacific, or do I have to wait for the timezone I'm in to be midnight?

As near as I know, they use Eastern so if you are in CA then you get to make your ressies and all at 9:00. I always have to get up again and take care of it but that is what I get for being Eastern I guess. Just be sure you do not log into the site before 9:00 or you will cancel yourself out and have to wait 15 minutes for your login to clear.

 

[socababy]

Welcome! Hope your MIL agrees and you and your DD get to come with us!

Well I got a tentative yes from my MIL! She needs to go home and check her calendar but as far as she knows we should be good to go. Now I just have to hope for some *GT rates!

If a Kids Sail Free happens to pop up, then my friend and her dd (who also turns 5 in Oct) will come along with us.

I will be reading this thread from the beginning tonight but wanted to ask if anyone has considered going to the jelly belly factory while in San Fran? Obviously this is geared towards those with little ones. I want to take dd as I know she would be in Heaven (as would I being around those sour jelly belly's...my FAV!) I just need to figure out if I want to spend the money on a private car to drive us or not. I don't like to drive on my own when I am unsure of the area. If my friend and her dd end up coming, then the price might be more reasonable for the private car but for 2, not so much. The factory is about an hour from San Fran.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Socababy - Welcome! I don't know if DCL will put on any more *GT's, we had a VGT just before Easter and a few of us shifted our bookings across to take advantage of it. I know it's an undersold cruise, so you may be lucky. Our boys will be turning 5 in late Nov, so it's sort of a birthday cruise for them too.

We aren't planning on Jelly Belly, it's too far and our kids kinda don't get jellybeans much. Now they've discussed at length their choices at Ghirardelli in San Fran and at DCA!

Thanks for your comments about the photopackage Erbie and Gail. Like Gail, I'm always the one looking less than prime in the pics but the kids are the ones I want it for. I know the $99 pack is one you can only get prior to boarding, hence me thinking about it now.

Well I think hubby may have finally almost booked us a rental for the US trip - something like a Ford Explorer by the sounds. I just hope the kids can see out the windows in the back as they get mightly mardy if they can't.

I've pulled my kids out of swimming class for term 3. Oli had a year in the same grade and was coasting as the man teaching them was too soft with him, one session with me and he's doing a whole lot better. So it looks as if it's Mummy Swim School at the local old pool this winter before we get on the plane to LAX.

Did I tell everyone we are set for my brothers wedding. Going to Sydney on the 8th of August for the 10th August wedding and then back on the 13th. Man are we going to be broke at Christmas. Oh well, my brother swears blind that this time it feels so right for him.

DH is getting a little Mickey Mouse fever I think. He sent me this today: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10813973

 

[glindamood]

Hello everyone! I am hoping to book this cruise very soon! When is everyone PIF date? I'm hoping for an IGT or OGT once the PIF date has come and gone. This is a somewhat last minute decision to do this cruise. It would be just my dd4 and I celebrating dd's birthday. Her bday isn't until Oct 2 but I can't go that week since it is Open House that week at the kid's school. I can't bring my 2 boys along since I am taking them out for 2 weeks in Dec when we do the Panama Canal cruise. My plan is to have my IL's get the boys out of school early that Friday and meet dd and I at Legoland since we live just about 30 minutes from there. The boys can't go on the cruise but at least they can have some fun too.

I do still have to talk to my MIL to ask her if she'd watch the boys while dd and I are on the cruise. She watched all 3 kids while my friend and I did the 15 night Hawaii cruise. She seemed to have survived well enough but will enough time have passed for her to do another week? Fingers crossed, I'll be asking her today!

I hope it works out so that you can join us. We have had one round of guarantee offerings earlier this year but they may do it again, one just never knows with DCL.

We were supposed to get storms last night and while it did sprinkle some and I could hear the thunder in the distance, it never did 'rock and roll' like they warned us it would. Our older Lab doesn't like that so I am just as well satisfied that he didn't have the need to sleep on my head last night!

Good job on the swimming lessons Marian. Not really an easy task if there was any fear of the water involved. None of my boys had much fear of anything, I even had one that thought he could fly. It also appears to me that Disney has staked a claim on Mercury as well. What a forward thinking company they are!

Take care and have a great day/evening.

 

[bbangel]

Wow, we are getting close to 90 days! I must go pay this off so I can book Palo and excursions! And since I've only completed one FE gift I better get on that too!

Socababy I hope things work out for you to join!

 

[jetskigrl]

Hello everyone! I am hoping to book this cruise very soon! When is everyone PIF date? I'm hoping for an IGT or OGT once the PIF date has come and gone. This is a somewhat last minute decision to do this cruise. It would be just my dd4 and I celebrating dd's birthday. Her bday isn't until Oct 2 but I can't go that week since it is Open House that week at the kid's school. I can't bring my 2 boys along since I am taking them out for 2 weeks in Dec when we do the Panama Canal cruise. My plan is to have my IL's get the boys out of school early that Friday and meet dd and I at Legoland since we live just about 30 minutes from there. The boys can't go on the cruise but at least they can have some fun too.

I do still have to talk to my MIL to ask her if she'd watch the boys while dd and I are on the cruise. She watched all 3 kids while my friend and I did the 15 night Hawaii cruise. She seemed to have survived well enough but will enough time have passed for her to do another week? Fingers crossed, I'll be asking her today!

Big wave Hello again!!!!!! I'm really hoping that you decide to book this one. This will give us another chance to meet in person!!

We are leaving the kids at home this time too (because of school) so it will just be me and DH. But I love your plan to meet up at Legoland The best mine will get is to watch us sail away (and I'm sure they will not be happy with that since they will want to be on the ship with us again). They are still talking about our MR adventure, LOL.

 

[jetskigrl]

Does anyone know what timezone the DCL system uses? I want to try for Palo ressies on the 25th, but can I do it at 9:00 Pacific, or do I have to wait for the timezone I'm in to be midnight?

For the MR cruise last April, I was able to book Palo and excursions at 9:00 pm CA time, but I had to wait until the next morning to do my online check-in (I think someone said that online check-in opens at 3:00 am or 12:00 am CA time).

Socababy - Welcome! I don't know if DCL will put on any more *GT's, we had a VGT just before Easter and a few of us shifted our bookings across to take advantage of it. I know it's an undersold cruise, so you may be lucky. Our boys will be turning 5 in late Nov, so it's sort of a birthday cruise for them too.

We aren't planning on Jelly Belly, it's too far and our kids kinda don't get jellybeans much. Now they've discussed at length their choices at Ghirardelli in San Fran and at DCA!

Thanks for your comments about the photopackage Erbie and Gail. Like Gail, I'm always the one looking less than prime in the pics but the kids are the ones I want it for. I know the $99 pack is one you can only get prior to boarding, hence me thinking about it now.

Well I think hubby may have finally almost booked us a rental for the US trip - something like a Ford Explorer by the sounds. I just hope the kids can see out the windows in the back as they get mightly mardy if they can't.

I've pulled my kids out of swimming class for term 3. Oli had a year in the same grade and was coasting as the man teaching them was too soft with him, one session with me and he's doing a whole lot better. So it looks as if it's Mummy Swim School at the local old pool this winter before we get on the plane to LAX.

Did I tell everyone we are set for my brothers wedding. Going to Sydney on the 8th of August for the 10th August wedding and then back on the 13th. Man are we going to be broke at Christmas. Oh well, my brother swears blind that this time it feels so right for him.

DH is getting a little Mickey Mouse fever I think. He sent me this today: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10813973

Too funny (the article). I'm going to show my kids that tonight. LOL - DD has a hidden mickey birthmark on her leg but she gets all mad at me if I point it out to anyone.

Very cool about your brother's wedding. Sounds like it is all coming together

Wow, we are getting close to 90 days! I must go pay this off so I can book Palo and excursions! And since I've only completed one FE gift I better get on that too!

Socababy I hope things work out for you to join!

WOO HOO on the double digits!!! I didn't even realize we finally got past 100 on the countdown (too much going on with the end of the school year).
It didn't help that I got sick last weekend and have been out of commission since Sat. night. Poor DH didn't get much of a Father's Day.

OK, I do need to start thinking about FE gifts soon (well, maybe after DS's birthday and then my trip to my sister's house). Yikes, the summer will be over way to fast, LOL.

 

[socababy]

Big wave Hello again!!!!!! I'm really hoping that you decide to book this one. This will give us another chance to meet in person!!

We are leaving the kids at home this time too (because of school) so it will just be me and DH. But I love your plan to meet up at Legoland The best mine will get is to watch us sail away (and I'm sure they will not be happy with that since they will want to be on the ship with us again). They are still talking about our MR adventure, LOL.

Yes this time it would be much easier to meet up since it will just be dd and I. I just got confirmation today from my MIL that she is free to watch the boys. Now of course I think in the back of my mind that I will end up booking regardless of what promotions come out but I really want to wait until after the PIF dates come and go to see what they offer. I can't imagine if the cruise is undersold that they would raise the prices from what they are right now. Hopefully I don't end up eating those words.