Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[BigDisneyOE]

Meandmygirl - we are staying at a condo we rented in Anaheim for 7 nights before sailing. It's called Mickey's Hollow and the people who rent it are super nice (plus we could pay by c/card and not do bank deposits). Before that we are 7 nights at Grand Pacific Palisades in a two room apartment in Carlsbad for Legoland and San Diego area. The day we disembark we fly home on a night flight, so I'll just get a dayroom somewhere near LAX.

Amysings - excellent you'll have your children onboard too. Maybe all the FE kids will play together? My boys will be nearly five by sail date and are really keen to play with other kids. I'll have to ask you and Jetskigirl what the best rides for under fives at Disneyland are, as we don't want to waste our time in line for rides that the kids might freak out on or be bored. Such a difficult age as they are superhuman in their own minds unless it looks scary.

Gail - I'm with you on clear outs this week. I spent two hours bagging up old toys that the boys have outgrown while they were at Kindy today. I need to drop them at the hospice shop once I've cleaned them. I've had to stash them in the garage lest they be found and hauled back to their rooms. I did the same thing with my husbands stuff while he was away for 10 days in PNG last year. He still hasn't noticed a few bags of his broken things are missing. My Mum is a hoarder, seriously when my parents moved from a five bedroom home to a two bedroom home my Dad bought her a 40 foot shipping container to stick in the yard so she could 'work through her junk and throw it out' at her pace. Well Dad's been gone five years and Mum still hasn't thrown out a bean. At least the container has shelves and it looks sort of organised.

I asked the kids about Alcatraz today and the seem keen to visit as long as there are no 'baddies' still living there. They are free as they won't be five according to the booking site, so I may well take them. They are used to hills, SF is a lot like Wellington and they go up hills like goats. So maybe we will take them as it's such a long way to go back to SF.

Okay I'm toying with shifting our booking around to get two adjoining rooms. Would only be a bit more ($1.2K) but husband says nope. He reckons that is money we could use on Disney passes and excusions on the three weeks away. I see the lure of more space, double the space. Husband says kids have to learn to stay in the same room as us and fall asleep but I know that the kids have never been in the same room as us and will probably be so hyped by it all we may have days of disrupted sleep. When they share a room on holiday we always have a few 5AM starts thanks to Alex the Lark/Owl combo kid. What do you folks think?

Oh I'm Marian by the way, it's way too long to keep typing my Disboards Id.

 

[glindamood]

Good morning! It was all of 1 this morning (that is -17C) - just too cold for my taste. I ran out to start my car without putting my jacket on and it was chilly - I was glad to get back into the house.

Miriam - well, your DH is right, you can use that money for other things. What category do you have booked? It is always nice to increase space though, always and another bathroom when everyone is trying to get ready in the morning or dinnertime is a plus as well. But, those funds can go a long way for other things as well. Hopefully they will be so tired at the end of the day that they will just crash and fall asleep quickly.

Not much else to report from here. Have a great day!

 

[jetskigrl]

I had forgotten about this thread. It is a cool, rainy day here today and I have a rare Saturday off work so have spent a lot of today googling and researching for our trip.

I am also looking forward to San Francisco. I have a list a mile long of all the things I want to see and do. Hopefully I can fit it all in. Mum has been to SF before but is looking forward to going back.

I am taking DD6 to Alcatraz - all part of the experience. I am not flying her all that way to leave her on the ship when she can be out and about experiencing new things. So whether she likes it or not, DD6 will be going everywhere I go.

We have a trip to NZ coming up next week. Once we are back from that it will be full steam ahead for booking and parting with lots of money.

BigDisneyOE - where are you staying in Anaheim? We are planning on Park Vue Inn before the cruise then 3 nights at Hojos before we fly home.

Dh and I are still trying to decided what to do for our excursions. We both want to see the Walt Disney museum so that is one thing we will do. My Sister lives in San Jose (not too far from San Francisco) so she may drive into the city to meet up with us on the 25th, since it is my birthday

I have stayed at both Hojos and Park Vue and we really liked them both

Jetskigirl!- another local! How much fun to watch the boat sail on a Sunday afternoon. I'd be too tempted to stowaway- haha. We are AP's too, in fact we're heading there in about an hour to take the 5 year old on Star Tours for the first time. She has lately become a Star Wars FANATIC and she can't wait to ride it!

Have a great week- ya'll

Howdy Neighbor Maybe will can have a meet and greet at DL before the cruise!
My Dh and kids went to see the Wonder again last night (I was in the middle of laundry so I missed out, LOL). It does make me a little antsy when we go down there because I want to be back on board again But we are just over 2 months until our MR cruise so it is getting closer

I hope your DD enjoyed Star Tours!! That is one of our must do's every visit now. They did a great job with it since the refurb.

Good evening everyone! Hope you all had a good weekend and a good start to the new week. We sail 34 weeks from today so we should be at the show (late dining) about now (if my time was CA time that is, otherwise we are at the safety drill).

Didn't do much planning this weekend, airfare is done so there is lot of time but I did weed out 2 garbage bags of unwanted stuff from the bedroom and added to the pile of clothes that can be donated. I just need to keep at it and I have massively run out of steam. Sometimes I see those commercials on TV for that show about hoarding and I look around and sort of freak out. We have 32 years worth of stuff and it is time to get through it all. Not everything can be a treasure.

Take care!

LOL - I always get the urge to start throwing things out when I want that show. My DH is the opposite of me (I'm a keeper and he is a "throw it out if I haven't used it in the last month" type of guy). So he likes when I watch that show and then start purging things from our house

Meandmygirl - we are staying at a condo we rented in Anaheim for 7 nights before sailing. It's called Mickey's Hollow and the people who rent it are super nice (plus we could pay by c/card and not do bank deposits). Before that we are 7 nights at Grand Pacific Palisades in a two room apartment in Carlsbad for Legoland and San Diego area. The day we disembark we fly home on a night flight, so I'll just get a dayroom somewhere near LAX.

Amysings - excellent you'll have your children onboard too. Maybe all the FE kids will play together? My boys will be nearly five by sail date and are really keen to play with other kids. I'll have to ask you and Jetskigirl what the best rides for under fives at Disneyland are, as we don't want to waste our time in line for rides that the kids might freak out on or be bored. Such a difficult age as they are superhuman in their own minds unless it looks scary.

Gail - I'm with you on clear outs this week. I spent two hours bagging up old toys that the boys have outgrown while they were at Kindy today. I need to drop them at the hospice shop once I've cleaned them. I've had to stash them in the garage lest they be found and hauled back to their rooms. I did the same thing with my husbands stuff while he was away for 10 days in PNG last year. He still hasn't noticed a few bags of his broken things are missing. My Mum is a hoarder, seriously when my parents moved from a five bedroom home to a two bedroom home my Dad bought her a 40 foot shipping container to stick in the yard so she could 'work through her junk and throw it out' at her pace. Well Dad's been gone five years and Mum still hasn't thrown out a bean. At least the container has shelves and it looks sort of organised.

I asked the kids about Alcatraz today and the seem keen to visit as long as there are no 'baddies' still living there. They are free as they won't be five according to the booking site, so I may well take them. They are used to hills, SF is a lot like Wellington and they go up hills like goats. So maybe we will take them as it's such a long way to go back to SF.

Okay I'm toying with shifting our booking around to get two adjoining rooms. Would only be a bit more ($1.2K) but husband says nope. He reckons that is money we could use on Disney passes and excusions on the three weeks away. I see the lure of more space, double the space. Husband says kids have to learn to stay in the same room as us and fall asleep but I know that the kids have never been in the same room as us and will probably be so hyped by it all we may have days of disrupted sleep. When they share a room on holiday we always have a few 5AM starts thanks to Alex the Lark/Owl combo kid. What do you folks think?

Oh I'm Marian by the way, it's way too long to keep typing my Disboards Id.

Dh and I have visited Alcatraz before and I think your kids will really enjoy it. The only thing that they may get bored with is the tour itself, but the scenery (and boat ride over) is really cool.

Have you been do Disneyland before? I have a three page document that I have made for friends that are visiting for the first time and I would be happy to email it to you. Hum as for the 5 and under group, I will have to think on that one. Even some of the Fantasyland rides can be scary (dark) the first time. My kids have grown up going to DL so as soon as they were tall enough for a ride, they tried it, LOL. I'll ask my DS tonight which were his favorites when he was younger.

Good morning! It was all of 1 this morning (that is -17C) - just too cold for my taste. I ran out to start my car without putting my jacket on and it was chilly - I was glad to get back into the house.

Miriam - well, your DH is right, you can use that money for other things. What category do you have booked? It is always nice to increase space though, always and another bathroom when everyone is trying to get ready in the morning or dinnertime is a plus as well. But, those funds can go a long way for other things as well. Hopefully they will be so tired at the end of the day that they will just crash and fall asleep quickly.

Not much else to report from here. Have a great day!

Dh and I will be staying in an inside room for the first time on this cruise (we usually have the Family Deluxe rooms when there are 4 of us). I'm kind of scared of the smaller space too but since this was a bonus trip, LOL...we need to keep the expenses down.

 

[glindamood]

Dh and I will be staying in an inside room for the first time on this cruise (we usually have the Family Deluxe rooms when there are 4 of us). I'm kind of scared of the smaller space too but since this was a bonus trip, LOL...we need to keep the expenses down.

We generally sail in an inside - I would rather sail twice a year inside than only once with a verandah. I really like the sideways rooms (we did manage to snag one this time) but I also love the inside hallway forward on 6 - so quiet. We have been in cat 11's as well as the 10's and the split bath isn't that benificial to me so we make it work. Suitcases go under the bed, one on the floor in the closet and we are good to go. I do try and get the ones with the steamer trunk - that does make a difference but I can make it work without as well.

 

[jetskigrl]

We generally sail in an inside - I would rather sail twice a year inside than only once with a verandah. I really like the sideways rooms (we did manage to snag one this time) but I also love the inside hallway forward on 6 - so quiet. We have been in cat 11's as well as the 10's and the split bath isn't that benificial to me so we make it work. Suitcases go under the bed, one on the floor in the closet and we are good to go. I do try and get the ones with the steamer trunk - that does make a difference but I can make it work without as well.

Ohhh, I'm glad to hear that you like the sideways rooms. I heard they were a little bit more open so that is what we booked as well

We may actually try a port upgrade for the first time though, since this sailing still has a lot of availability.

 

[glindamood]

Ohhh, I'm glad to hear that you like the sideways rooms. I heard they were a little bit more open so that is what we booked as well

We may actually try a port upgrade for the first time though, since this sailing still has a lot of availability.

My biggest issue for the sideways rooms is where the desk is - at the foot of the bed. When my hair was long, I was up and at it first and when I tried to do my hair I felt like I was disturbing DH. Now that I have gone back to short hair, I can get away without drying it at all.

I need a lesson in boarding in LA - we got off in LA after the PC last year but that was my only experience. We have never boarded there. How does it go? I am so used to Port Canaveral that I am sure to be sort of confused. We will be on Super Shuttle (unless we cancel the Queen Mary and stay at GC) so that will help.

 

[jetskigrl]

My biggest issue for the sideways rooms is where the desk is - at the foot of the bed. When my hair was long, I was up and at it first and when I tried to do my hair I felt like I was disturbing DH. Now that I have gone back to short hair, I can get away without drying it at all.

I need a lesson in boarding in LA - we got off in LA after the PC last year but that was my only experience. We have never boarded there. How does it go? I am so used to Port Canaveral that I am sure to be sort of confused. We will be on Super Shuttle (unless we cancel the Queen Mary and stay at GC) so that will help.

I don't blowdry my hair so I should be good, LOL. I'm more worried about not having the split bath (we got spoiled with that).

For LA, the only experience I have boarding there was when we did the 2-night cruise to nowhere (I was getting on the ship as you were getting off, LOL) so things might have changed a bit since then. But it wasn't much different from PC. My Mom was able to drop us off right at the curb and the porters were right there to take the bags. At the door, they verified we were on the cruise and then sent us upstairs. We filled out the health form and then got into the checkin line(two separate lines, one for CC and one for first time cruisers). After checking in, we got our boarding card from the CMs (right in front of the security line) and then went through the screening. I guess that is different than PC since the screening is first and then check in there.

After that is was right into the waiting room. They have a separate waiting area for concierge but everyone else was in one big room. They starting boarding about 11:45, I think.

Again, this all might be different now than it was then, but it was very similar to what we experienced at PC.

 

[glindamood]

I don't blowdry my hair so I should be good, LOL. I'm more worried about not having the split bath (we got spoiled with that).

For LA, the only experience I have boarding there was when we did the 2-night cruise to nowhere (I was getting on the ship as you were getting off, LOL) so things might have changed a bit since then. But it wasn't much different from PC. My Mom was able to drop us off right at the curb and the porters were right there to take the bags. At the door, they verified we were on the cruise and then sent us upstairs. We filled out the health form and then got into the checkin line(two separate lines, one for CC and one for first time cruisers). After checking in, we got our boarding card from the CMs (right in front of the security line) and then went through the screening. I guess that is different than PC since the screening is first and then check in there.

After that is was right into the waiting room. They have a separate waiting area for concierge but everyone else was in one big room. They starting boarding about 11:45, I think.

Again, this all might be different now than it was then, but it was very similar to what we experienced at PC.

Split bathroom - it really isn't that big a deal - for us anyway. I try and shower before the show (I usually get ready with hair and makeup, go to the show in 'day clothes' and then go back to the room and dress for dinner. I never put my makeup on in the bathroom either so, for us, it is OK. Plus, that is one more step up that I don't have to take.

Last year on the PC cruise, we could check-in for the airport and didn't have to mess with luggage getting out of there so it was super simple although the line moved slowly. Now that they don't do that in LA, we will have to get it and put it on the bus. Check-in sounds simple as well - just like PC.

Have a grand evening everyone and a great day tomorrow!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Hi All, busy day here with sick birds, swimming lessons and I even managed to get to the paed appnt early (okay a whole month early it turned out but I was early!).

Gail we are in a 10A, SPR. I picked it out specifically as I wanted to be near the kids clubs. So I guess you guys are right, stay put and spend the cash elsewhere.

Jetskigirl I'm the only one who's been to Disneyland and that was 4th July 1988 when George Bush Snr was running for the first time and went by on a Disneyland float. It was hot and crowded and I was with my Mum. All I can recall is that I went on the Teacups, Ferris Wheel and Splash Mountain for certain. Mum wanted to do all the kiddie rides with her 'baby' (I was 18 at the time ) and I had to sit in the Teacups with my Mum, who was having the time of her life and a lot people who were more the age of the ride than my Mum and I. I got two pins for the Olympic campaign at the gate but beyond that I can't recall too much besides it was very very hot and we'd come from the UK where it was much cooler. So yes please I'd love your guide to Disneyland!!!

I know the kids will want to live at Cars Land, I think I know the entire dialogue for both movies backwards now as we watched them so many times. However any time a Disney princess comes on they ask who the girl in the dress is! They do recognise Tinkerbell thankfully but I've told them they have to get up to speed on their princesses in case they see any onboard.

 

[glindamood]

SPR - I booked one of those for the boys (probably ten years ago) - good snag. It worked well for them.

Another gorgeous sunrise here this morning. Snowed the majority of the day yesterday but beats me where it went, roads were a bit wet on my way in but nothing else.

Have an awesome day (or night for those done with their day).

 

[jetskigrl]

Split bathroom - it really isn't that big a deal - for us anyway. I try and shower before the show (I usually get ready with hair and makeup, go to the show in 'day clothes' and then go back to the room and dress for dinner. I never put my makeup on in the bathroom either so, for us, it is OK. Plus, that is one more step up that I don't have to take.

Last year on the PC cruise, we could check-in for the airport and didn't have to mess with luggage getting out of there so it was super simple although the line moved slowly. Now that they don't do that in LA, we will have to get it and put it on the bus. Check-in sounds simple as well - just like PC.

Have a grand evening everyone and a great day tomorrow!

Yeah, I think since it is just the two of us, we will be fine. Much easier than tripping over my kids while getting ready

We loved the airline check-in when we were on the Dream. It was so easy. Yeah, that is disappointing that they don't have it out of LA.

Hi All, busy day here with sick birds, swimming lessons and I even managed to get to the paed appnt early (okay a whole month early it turned out but I was early!).

Gail we are in a 10A, SPR. I picked it out specifically as I wanted to be near the kids clubs. So I guess you guys are right, stay put and spend the cash elsewhere.

Jetskigirl I'm the only one who's been to Disneyland and that was 4th July 1988 when George Bush Snr was running for the first time and went by on a Disneyland float. It was hot and crowded and I was with my Mum. All I can recall is that I went on the Teacups, Ferris Wheel and Splash Mountain for certain. Mum wanted to do all the kiddie rides with her 'baby' (I was 18 at the time ) and I had to sit in the Teacups with my Mum, who was having the time of her life and a lot people who were more the age of the ride than my Mum and I. I got two pins for the Olympic campaign at the gate but beyond that I can't recall too much besides it was very very hot and we'd come from the UK where it was much cooler. So yes please I'd love your guide to Disneyland!!!

I know the kids will want to live at Cars Land, I think I know the entire dialogue for both movies backwards now as we watched them so many times. However any time a Disney princess comes on they ask who the girl in the dress is! They do recognise Tinkerbell thankfully but I've told them they have to get up to speed on their princesses in case they see any onboard.

I looked at the 10A's when I found out the price dropped for the cruise but the SPH rooms were all booked. I still may upgrade to a 10, just for the extra room. I plan to re-shop this cruise while we are on Wonder in April.

What a great memory about your trip with your Mum But I guess it will almost be like a first time again since so much has changed.

I am so excited for Cars Land. We loves Test Track at Epcot so I'm curious to see how the racers will compare.

If you would like to send me your email in a PM, I'll email my guide to you. I forgot to ask my DS about his favorite rides last night but I'll try to remember that tonight.

 

[amysings]

Marian-
We booked one room only for us and the 2 kids. We did the Alaska last May and that was fine for us. My brother in law is coming with his family too (2 boys 2&4) and they also got one room. I like that there is the curtain divider between the front and back of the cabin, makes it easier to nap. Also, we stayed out so late every night that we had no trouble all going to bed together and napping every day too! (one night my DD begged us to stay up for "girls night" at the Oceanears Club painting their nails and making bracelets it was easily past 11 when we got back to the room)

Also, sounds like jetskigirl might have you covered with the planning guide, but if you have any questions about the 3-5 year olds, I can fill you in. Mine are both chickens when it comes to rides! It's interesting to see these rides through kids eyes nowadays- there is a lot of overstimulation in them- especially the "dark" rides in Fantasyland.

Chat soon!
Amy

 

[jetskigrl]

BigDisneyOE - I asked my family for their input on ride suggestions for your kids.

Here is what was suggested (I'm sure there are more but these were just off the tops of their heads):
In DL:
Peter Pan
Tea Cups
StorybookLand
Casey Jr
Dumbo
Pirates of the Caribbean (but warn them about dark and the cannons).
Mark Twain/Columbia
Small World
Buzz Lightyear
Autotopia
Gadget's Go Coaster (they can see this whole ride before getting in line so they will be able to decide if they want to try it or not)
Monorail
Train ride around the park
Star Tours (if they are tall enough and like Star Wars)
Jungle Cruise

In California Adventure:
All of Bug's Land
Soarin' (if they are tall enough)
Goofy's Sky School (if they are tall enough)
Monster's Inc
Jumpin' Jelly Fish

Ones that they thought you should avoid or save until you see how they do on the others:
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Matterhorn (if they are tall enough)
Big Thunder (see how it goes on Gadget's Go Coaster first and if they are tall enough)
Pinocchio (is that spelled right?)
Haunted Mansion

Of course, keep in mind that my kids both started going to DLR as babies. They might have different suggestions if they were seeing it all for the first time at 4 or 5.

 

[jetskigrl]

Also, sounds like jetskigirl might have you covered with the planning guide, but if you have any questions about the 3-5 year olds, I can fill you in. Mine are both chickens when it comes to rides! It's interesting to see these rides through kids eyes nowadays- there is a lot of overstimulation in them- especially the "dark" rides in Fantasyland.

Chat soon!
Amy

The first ride my DD suggested to avoid was Snow White's Scary Adventure. She said "that one is way too scary for little kids." LOL - I guess she remembers being scared by that one as a little kid too.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Oh thank you so much ladies, I'm going to cut and paste the list so we don't stand in line for something the kids freak out on two seconds after getting on the ride. Oli is more adventurous about rides but Alex, tends to be a bit Mr Health and Safety. He actually wants to understand the mechanics of how a ride works before he gets on something, then he's reasonably okay (even if it's some rickety old merry-go-round with rockets made of oil barrels ).

Oh and I see June 15th is the offical opening to the public of Cars Land!! Yay.

At 4.2 years old they are 107cm or 42.1ins tall. They are growing like weeds at the moment, so who knows how tall they will be in September. The boys are the tallest kids that moved into the older class at Kindy. Take after their Mummy... not Dad!

I do worry about the same room, in particular the bed that comes out of the ceiling (even with a kiddie rail). Last night was a prime example as Oli fell out of bed because he was moving around in his sleep too much. Oli is the least wiggly of the two of them as well. At 2AM it was all change; Daddy in the spare room to sleep and me stuck with Oli, who promptly went back to sleep and wiggling until I passed out at 4.20AM. We have to put Alex on the lower berth as he's the one that will be up early, dressed by Daddy and taken up to the deck to see the views. I can see it now, I'll end up on the upper berth, Oli on the lower one and the two that wake up early in the morning in the big bed. At least everyone will be so shattered that come the day we leave the Wonder and head back on the 14 hour night flight to NZ we will all sleep.

 

[glindamood]

Happy Tuesday everyone! I think I fell off the face of the earth for a few days there but back now. It was a long week last week from a work perspective but things seem to be under control now.

Nothing much new happening from here - I have been too busy trying to keep my head above water with just normal stuff.

Have a great day!

 

[glindamood]

32 weeks to go!​

I can't tell you all how much I am looking forward to this trip. Gorgeous day here - at least from inside the house looking out. Clear, crisp blue skies and no wind but it is chilly - all of 23 degrees F. We have lost most of our snow but it is only February and I am sure that will change.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

It's 28C here today and the kids are having their first ever campout in the garden with their Daddy. Let's see how long that lasts, I'm betting 10pm when they realise Daddy snores up a storm.

Prepaid our tips this week. Man it takes some doing with the timezones - it was 11AM on Wednesday to ring Miami at 5pm Tuesday. Fortunately the lady on the other end understood my accent.

 

[glindamood]

It's 28C here today and the kids are having their first ever campout in the garden with their Daddy. Let's see how long that lasts, I'm betting 10pm when they realise Daddy snores up a storm.

Prepaid our tips this week. Man it takes some doing with the timezones - it was 11AM on Wednesday to ring Miami at 5pm Tuesday. Fortunately the lady on the other end understood my accent.

So how did the campout go? Did they make it all night? It has always amazed me that things that sleeping children do not hear (mine anyway) like alarms and the things that should get them up the things that keep them awake can be equally amazing. Although I will say - our shower was dripping the other night and driving me nuts. Nice on the weather as well - that is low 80's to us who read F temps. Ours is a whopping 23F now - and -5C. Frankly, they both sound cold!

Paid in full? Way to go. I will - by May but for now it can sit in my bank account.

How is everyone doing? 31 weeks from now we will be sitting on a plane in Traverse City waiting to take off. I can't wait, I really can't.

Enjoy your weekend!

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Hey Gail!

The boys slept really well despite going down about 90 minutes later than normal as it's mid summer and still light inside the tent. They were too excited about it and all I could hear as I zipped the menfolk in were things like 'is it a bio-hazzard?' (Alex who's obsessed with bio-hazzards and environmental damage at the moment), 'Daddy why do you have a lamp and your computer in the tent?' (Oliver) and Rich replying 'Daddy needs to do some work for the office'. As you predicted the boys fell into a deep sleep and Rich was awake half the night as there were people returning home from Friday night activities until about 1AM in cars. He did FaceBook me to tell me he couldn't sleep and could he have some food at about 10.30, being nice I passed half a box of Butlers chocolates under the tent flap before heading to bed.

The boys liked camping so much they retired to the tent to have an afternoon nap yesterday. I went with them leaving hubby to deal with the 5.5kgs of blackberries I'd picked him, telling him if I couldn't make jam he could make his own wine (thankfully I don't drink so I couldn't care less if it's vinegar in six months time).

I've paid all our accomodation out for the three weeks we are away now. Our exchange rate is so good at the moment it made sense. The cruise was paid off bar the tips in July last year and the airfares paid late last year. Now I just have to save up for food, car rental and activities. I'm not doing a spreadsheet for this trip, Rich would have a coronary if he saw the sum total.

Wow 31 weeks 'til sail date means 29 weeks until we fly into the US I guess. It's 21 days until I fly out on a mummy only trip to Phuket!