Sept. 23, 2012 Pacific Coast - Wonder Cruise

[BigDisneyOE]

Hey Renata, we have made no choices in terms of port transfer. Probably will be getting a private car as there is four of us.

Around Easter DCL did a VGT which a few of us jumped on for the upgrade to verandah. Sure sign it's selling slowly is when cruise lines do special discounts that far out. Most kids will be in school, which is kinda why we booked it. Hoping the kids clubs aren't chocka block and the kids get more time with the CMs.

Yay looks like my brother is thinking of getting married on a harbour cruise in Sydney. Brilliant. He's buzzing around trying to look at wedding services on the sly at work. Given he's a senior VP with a pile of staff always hovering around him I give it a week before someone finally gets up the courage to bust him.

 

[glindamood]

My brother rang last night. He's getting married!!! For the first time in nearly 40 years he actually sounded like he was smiling when he spoke on the phone. I'm very happy that my baby brother finally found someone who makes him happy and that he can have kids with. He spent years with women who didn't want kids and pretending it wasn't a huge deal to him despite him wanting to be a dad so badly.

They rang to get my blessing (our Mother is away in Europe and is problematic at the best of times) and say they were tentatively thinking of September this year. I had to tell him that we were in the USA all September to which he said 'oh yeah, I knew you were going away but couldn't recall when'. I did suggest that they could come to the US and get married on the Disney Wonder but Mike wasn't sure his inlaws would cope with that.

So it looks like we are off to Sydney for a wedding at some stage and then, if we can swing it, we will take the kids to China for the ceremony in her home town too.

How awesome is that? And it appears that you whole-heartedly approve which is awesome as well. And, a harbor wedding, I hope we get to see pictures.

Hello all,

And I hope you are all doing well. I read that there was a surgery - hope the recovery is smooth. Some talk of Elton John - hope its everything and more for the fans. And a exciting weddding. Seems like there is alot of things happening amongst our fellow cruisers.

On Cruise update!!! I spoke with DCL yesterday and they told me that the ship is undersold...meaning that they have tons of empty space still available. I am kind of liking the sound of a not sold out ship...means more room for us to roam the ship and soak our feet in the pool...keeping my fingers crossed that we are not crammed to capacity!!! LOL

I would be the surgery 'victim' but I am going back to work tomorrow. My throat is still sore but I don't think I can sit around the house another day - so I will go sit at the office. My throat is still sore but not as bad as it was. It can be difficult to eat but that is not necessarily a bad thing - I am almost back to the weight I was when this all started.

Quick Question:

What are you using for a port transfer??

We are staying at GC Saturday evening and taking the DCL transfers from the hotel to the port. I love the convenience (enough that I am willing to pay for it) of them taking our luggage from our room and us not having the schlep it anywhere. We are also taking it from the port on the 30th back to LAX. I don't like that we can't do the onboard check-in on the ship, don't know why can't check us in, give us our boarding passes and then we could deal with luggage once we get to the airport (just like we do when we leave home). Oh well, we will survive.

I will say I do need to figure out how to get from LAX to GC but there is the Super Shuttle service that I am thinking about.

Well, I don't know much of anything else so everyone have a great day. A huge thanks from Michigan to all who have served our country as well as to those currently serving. Just think how different our lives would be without what they have done.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

How awesome is that? And it appears that you whole-heartedly approve which is awesome as well. And, a harbor wedding, I hope we get to see pictures.

I would be the surgery 'victim' but I am going back to work tomorrow. My throat is still sore but I don't think I can sit around the house another day - so I will go sit at the office. My throat is still sore but not as bad as it was. It can be difficult to eat but that is not necessarily a bad thing - I am almost back to the weight I was when this all started.

Gail I honestly can't see them getting it all organised in 9 weeks. Gowns take about five months down here, everything gets made overseas (usually China), then shipped to the big suppliers in the USA and then sent as required to individual shops in AUS/NZ for fittings etc. Takes an age. Plus there's photographers, cruise company etc. My brothers skills are not organisation and certainly not on a tight timeframe like this. I wish they'd just pick a date further out and not give themselves so much stress. Alternatively, I wish they'd come on the Disney Wonder with us and and bring her family out from China for that. I think that would be an awesome place to get married. But them I am biased...

Did you get intubated for your operation? They could have scraped your throat on putting the tube down and that might have got slightly infected. Get your doctor to check with a scope as the tube goes way way down. I can't comment how long it took me to recover as I had a tonsilectomy and it went terribly wrong post op and my throat was on fire with a bad infection and my mouth had a giant odema. Upshot, get the doc to look with a scope to ensure there's not a wee cut down there. And suck lemonade iceblocks (icey poles, icey lollies, popsicles - I'm unsure what they are called in the US, maybe one of those?), they do help and will keep you gently hydrated.

My thoughts go out today to all the people (mainly children) killed in the mall fire in Doha, but particularly to the Kiwi family who lost their two year old triplets. I cried, I can't imagine loosing my twins and the first pic in the coverage is the triplets with Mickey Mouse. http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/7005233/Kiwi-triplets-killed-in-Doha-mall-fire

 

[glindamood]

Gail I honestly can't see them getting it all organised in 9 weeks. Gowns take about five months down here, everything gets made overseas (usually China), then shipped to the big suppliers in the USA and then sent as required to individual shops in AUS/NZ for fittings etc. Takes an age. Plus there's photographers, cruise company etc. My brothers skills are not organisation and certainly not on a tight timeframe like this. I wish they'd just pick a date further out and not give themselves so much stress. Alternatively, I wish they'd come on the Disney Wonder with us and and bring her family out from China for that. I think that would be an awesome place to get married. But them I am biased...

Did you get intubated for your operation? They could have scraped your throat on putting the tube down and that might have got slightly infected. Get your doctor to check with a scope as the tube goes way way down. I can't comment how long it took me to recover as I had a tonsilectomy and it went terribly wrong post op and my throat was on fire with a bad infection and my mouth had a giant odema. Upshot, get the doc to look with a scope to ensure there's not a wee cut down there. And suck lemonade iceblocks (icey poles, icey lollies, popsicles - I'm unsure what they are called in the US, maybe one of those?), they do help and will keep you gently hydrated.

My thoughts go out today to all the people (mainly children) killed in the mall fire in Doha, but particularly to the Kiwi family who lost their two year old triplets. I cried, I can't imagine loosing my twins and the first pic in the coverage is the triplets with Mickey Mouse. http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/7005233/Kiwi-triplets-killed-in-Doha-mall-fire

Wedding - that is a VERY long time to wait and you are correct, not much time between now and August to get that all accomplished. I went to a vow renewal on the Wonder during our PC trip - it was beautiful, took place on the open balcony at the back of Deck 7. I will say it was hot but still beautiful.

Throat - I had a breathing tube so that is what is causing the issue. It feels some better each day and, after watching my dad after they nicked his esophagus, I don't think that is what I have going on as there is no coughing when I eat, amongst other things. Cold does help - i just am not a huge fan of Popsicles but staying away from dairy (earlier on anyway) helped as well. Now it doesn't seem to matter, at least as much. Now, I would have been all over fudgesicles or ice cream but that didn't work as well (starting with my waistline/hips).

HORRIBLE fire, just horrible. So sad.

 

[jetskigrl]

Just in case you guys didn't see this on the boards:

Pacific coast cruises on the Wonder in September and October 2012 will be Pixar-themed.

Details below from the Disney Parks Blog:

"During these voyages, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to interact with and explore the world of Pixar and their beloved characters while the Disney Wonder sails to popular port cities along the coast of California. Special entertainment and offerings designed for both children and adults include:

Artists and filmmakers from Pixar Animation Studios will provide an inside look at the creative process used to develop an animated feature which includes a look at the making of Pixar’s newest release “Brave” and a sneak peek at footage of future Pixar films.

Storyboards, character sketches, environment paintings, maquettes and other inspiring concept art used to design Pixar films will be on display in a special art exhibition at sea. This collection of art has only been seen outside of Pixar Animation Studios when displayed at leading art museums around the world.

Guests will be able to enjoy the entire Pixar library of films while onboard, including a selection of delightful animated shorts. The voyages coincide with the theatrical premiere of “Finding Nemo 3D,” which guests can enjoy at either of the two theatres equipped with state-of-the-art Dolby 3D projection systems.

For the first time, more than a dozen Pixar characters will meet with and greet guests throughout the cruise including Mr. Incredible, Remy, Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear. There will be a special Pixar-themed dance parties in the Atrium Lobby and a host of other opportunities for guests to reconnect with their favorite Pixar pals.

Guests sailing on the Pixar-themed voyages will also receive a commemorative lithograph created by Pixar artist and “Brave” co-director/screenwriter, Steve Purcell. These Pixar-inspired California Coastal cruises set sail Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30 and Oct. 7 [2012] from the Port of Los Angeles."

 

[jetskigrl]

Gail I honestly can't see them getting it all organised in 9 weeks. Gowns take about five months down here, everything gets made overseas (usually China), then shipped to the big suppliers in the USA and then sent as required to individual shops in AUS/NZ for fittings etc. Takes an age. Plus there's photographers, cruise company etc. My brothers skills are not organisation and certainly not on a tight timeframe like this. I wish they'd just pick a date further out and not give themselves so much stress. Alternatively, I wish they'd come on the Disney Wonder with us and and bring her family out from China for that. I think that would be an awesome place to get married. But them I am biased...

Did you get intubated for your operation? They could have scraped your throat on putting the tube down and that might have got slightly infected. Get your doctor to check with a scope as the tube goes way way down. I can't comment how long it took me to recover as I had a tonsilectomy and it went terribly wrong post op and my throat was on fire with a bad infection and my mouth had a giant odema. Upshot, get the doc to look with a scope to ensure there's not a wee cut down there. And suck lemonade iceblocks (icey poles, icey lollies, popsicles - I'm unsure what they are called in the US, maybe one of those?), they do help and will keep you gently hydrated.

My thoughts go out today to all the people (mainly children) killed in the mall fire in Doha, but particularly to the Kiwi family who lost their two year old triplets. I cried, I can't imagine loosing my twins and the first pic in the coverage is the triplets with Mickey Mouse. http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/7005233/Kiwi-triplets-killed-in-Doha-mall-fire

OMG...how horrible I cannot even imagine what those parents are going through....

But on a positive note, Congratulations to your brother!!!


Hello everyone! I'm back from Vegas. It was both awesome and disappointing at the same time

Poor Elton was sick and had to cancel all the concerts for the weekend. Major bummer for me I would have felt better if they had let me reschedule it for one of the October shows but the person I spoke with said the shows had not been put on the schedule yet so ticketmaster just refunded my money. UGH..... I don't want the money, I wanted my front row seats

But, on a positive note, I did get to visit with my friends that work at one of the local bars (a dueling piano bar) and had a great time hanging out listening to them play. They are awesome musicians and I never cease to be amazed at their talent.

It was a great visit with my Mom and sister too....very relaxing (we stayed off the Vegas strip at a resort with an awesome pool and lazy river).

 

[ShinyDaisy]

"My thoughts go out today to all the people (mainly children) killed in the mall fire in Doha, but particularly to the Kiwi family who lost their two year old triplets. I cried, I can't imagine loosing my twins and the first pic in the coverage is the triplets with Mickey Mouse. http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-...Doha-mall-fire"

Yes, very sad. I too cried.


An August Harbor wedding would be such fun!!

 

[erbie]

Hi all,

DH and I are considering going on this cruise with our 6 and 11 year old girls. Are there any girls within a year or so of these ages that might want to be penpals with my girls over email before the cruise? (Obviously the little ones would need parent help.)

We did this last time and our older daughter made a friend who she was able to go to the clubs with and she had a great time. Since she's old enough to be in the Edge now, her sister won't have her in the club to keep her company, so we're hoping to find her a friend beforehand (so we can go to Palo and have a drink together at the bar once in a while. ) Please PM me if your daughter would like to be penpals with one of mine.

This cruise makes us golden!

 

[jetskigrl]

Hi all,

DH and I are considering going on this cruise with our 6 and 11 year old girls. Are there any girls within a year or so of these ages that might want to be penpals with my girls over email before the cruise? (Obviously the little ones would need parent help.)

We did this last time and our older daughter made a friend who she was able to go to the clubs with and she had a great time. Since she's old enough to be in the Edge now, her sister won't have her in the club to keep her company, so we're hoping to find her a friend beforehand (so we can go to Palo and have a drink together at the bar once in a while. ) Please PM me if your daughter would like to be penpals with one of mine.

This cruise makes us golden!

Welcome and I hope that you find some kids for your daughters to penpal with. We did that for my DS on our Dream B2B last year and it worked out great. I loved seeing the letters going back and forth between the boys. And both our families are booked on the Fantasy together again next year so the boys will get to see one another again.


I saw in your sig line that you did a cruise to nowhere in 1/11. Was that the Wonder cruise? If so, I was on that with you And I will also be golden after this cruise

 

[DisDiana]

Is anyone else so excited about the Pixar-themed cruise? Does anyone know if Disney themes a lot of their cruises?

I'm still a little newer to cruising and thought this was a great surprise.

 

[ShinyDaisy]

Is anyone else so excited about the Pixar-themed cruise? Does anyone know if Disney themes a lot of their cruises?

I'm still a little newer to cruising and thought this was a great surprise.

We thought this was a great surprise, too! Way to go Disney.

 

[jetskigrl]

Is anyone else so excited about the Pixar-themed cruise? Does anyone know if Disney themes a lot of their cruises?

I'm still a little newer to cruising and thought this was a great surprise.

I haven't heard of them doing theming like this before, but I have only been around the cruise boards for a few years. I think it sounds really cool and I'm looking forward to it even more now.

 

[erbie]

I saw in your sig line that you did a cruise to nowhere in 1/11. Was that the Wonder cruise? If so, I was on that with you And I will also be golden after this cruise

Thanks for the welcome!

Yep, we did the first weekend cruise to nowhere on the Wonder in January, 2011. Just DH and I, no kids. We had a blast! And it paid for itself with the discount we got for onboard booking!

I can't wait for the gold level benefits!

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

Nevermind, found the answer I was looking for.
Thanks

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Thanks JSG (I got tired of typing Jetskigirl!) for the link, I forwarded it onto my husband who got very very excited. I think that will make his cruise to be honest. It would be very cool if they did some of the Cars stuff in the Pixar themed stuff. My boys are Cars mad and it would tie in well with the launch of Cars Land at DCL.

All quiet on the wedding front, I think my brother might have gone into a timeline panic now. August is winter in Sydney, while it's mild the harbour can get choppy and I don't think they've thought about his brides family not being used to boats at all and then needing paper bags thru the service.

Big week here - I bought half a cow! And a freezer. I've got 58kgs of prime Devon hung and cut to order coming my way at the end of June. Meat is so expensive here - prime cuts are about $22USD a kilo and I got the whole thing for about $6.50 a kg. We'll also get the bones for the dog, I've told her she's got bones coming and she does her 'happy dance'.

Bright winter sunshine this Friday morning. We are going to take the runner bikes to the beach with the dog. I really need to work out this photobucket thing and take some photos of our 'back yard' for you guys.

 

[jetskigrl]

Happy Friday everyone (or Saturday for some )
I was surprised to hear them advertise our cruises (well, the Pacific Coast Cruises) on my favorite radio station last night. They are running a promotion to give away a free cruise. I think they are pulling out all the stops to try and get people to book.

The whole time the Wonder has been here, I have only seen one billboard advertising it. Most people I told that I was cruising had no idea there was even a Disney ship here. I wish they would have advertised like crazy for the MR cruises. Then maybe more people would have booked them and they would have been able to keep the ship here.

So any big plans for the weekend? We don't this weekend but I think I am going to buy the tickets for the Annual Passholder's preview of Cars Land for next weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing it but I don't think we will be able to get close to that area (due to crowds) until after summer is over so this might be worth it.

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Happy Friday everyone (or Saturday for some )
I was surprised to hear them advertise our cruises (well, the Pacific Coast Cruises) on my favorite radio station last night. They are running a promotion to give away a free cruise. I think they are pulling out all the stops to try and get people to book.

The whole time the Wonder has been here, I have only seen one billboard advertising it. Most people I told that I was cruising had no idea there was even a Disney ship here. I wish they would have advertised like crazy for the MR cruises. Then maybe more people would have booked them and they would have been able to keep the ship here.

So any big plans for the weekend? We don't this weekend but I think I am going to buy the tickets for the Annual Passholder's preview of Cars Land for next weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing it but I don't think we will be able to get close to that area (due to crowds) until after summer is over so this might be worth it.

It sounds as if DCL haven't done themselves any favours in terms of getting local residents aware of the Wonder and her departures this season. Residents could have formed a backbone of support to keep the ship in port on a permanent basis. Sounds like they are mad scrambling to get people onboard now. I like the idea of a ship we are all on not quite at capacity but I do understand that an unslept bed is a cost to the line.

Oh you know you have to do a JBR from Cars Land. I think we'll be just about living there for our four day passes. I've bought a load of DCL books, aimed at people with young kids and I think we'll be on tea cup type things and very tame rides with Alex as he gets quite scared of stuff like bangs, shudders, loud noises and quick motion. Oli on the other hand could launch himself off the top of the Matterhorn on a plastic bag and hurtle down the side without batting an eyelid.

Long weekend here, Monday is Queens Birthday. I've told DH he has to strip the dog out otherwise I'm taking his beard trimmers to her and making her a coat for winter.

 

[glindamood]

Happy Sunday! I survived the week with a bit of a rough patch yesterday but all seems well again today. We have a family reunion (about 7 hours away via car) that I am not so sure I am up to next weekend though but I don't have to decide what I am doing there until the middle of the week. How can just sitting wear one out - and hurt??

Not much else to report from here. DH works at Boy Scout camp for the summer and he heads down tomorrow so I will be alone for the most part for the next 10 weeks. Youngest DS and DF were up this direction (Crystal Mountain) and they stopped for a late lunch today so even with the mini cleaning scramble, I feel pretty good.

Enjoy the rest of your day - and your holiday tomorrow (which is really today I think) and I will check in later.

 

[bbangel]

My mom and I will be joining you on this cruise!

We just got of the repo (LA/Van) and had booked the PC crossing in December while on board. We had thought about doing one in September but my job got in the way. Well, then when I went back to work there was a re-org and my position was eliminated. Sounds bad but I was actually hoping for that! Now I get paid severance for almost a year and have time to do some of the things I've been wanting (like go on this cruise!)

We are in for the FE - we had such fun doing it on our last cruise and have already thought up a project

 

[BigDisneyOE]

Hey Bbangel - great to have you with us. Awesome you got the redundancy and can take time off - I did that nearly 20 years ago when I wangled a technical redundancy knowing I was resigning in 10 weeks to go to Europe permanently anyway. Brilliant thing was I got a pile of extra cash and had a great time with my Dad before I left for the UK. More power to you!

Gail - sitting in the car for seven hours can be tiring and rough. Take regular breaks to move your limbs so that the points that have been problematic don't cause you to ache. Maybe that means visiting some of your favourite stores on the way to your destination if you are a crafter or an antique collector (boy your husband is not going to love me for that suggestion)?

Well it looks like, pending a venue being locked in, my brothers wedding in Sydney is on for 10th August. We've had to rush down the shops and get the boys suits on 30% off in the Queens Birthday Sales. That's the first time we've ever tried clothes on the kids in store and it was 40 minutes of pure sweat and muttering as the kids have never worn suits before. I'm not doing formal shoes for a month or so as I know those big feet will grow more. My brother wants the kids to do ring bearers, the kids are a bit scared of it all.

Right I've had a craft idea for the FE. I just need to run some prototypes up. I hope I have time to make them all. How many adults and how many kids (10 and under) do we have so far?

Yikes, I'm busy. Two holidays to plan. FE things to make. Oh and a FE. Plus all my knitting, craft and letters piling up. A house to paint and the before school visits starting for the kids. I'm going to need this cruise!