SEPT 24 2005 Enter and Sign in Please

[smilingmouse]

Its great to see more folks joining in.

How many more "Lurkers" are there out there??
Don't be afraid, join on in. You better join fast though if you don't want to be stuck with the "batton".

Now that we know, at least most of us, where our cabins are. What dining rotation has everyone choosen if you have??? We will be trying late this time, kids are getting older and we don't want to be rushed to get back to dress and get to dinner. Plus on our last DCL we weren't even hungry at 6pm.

Is it time to go yet????
Its raining again
Luckely I have something to look forward to in the mean time, Vegas in June, just me and DH .

O.K. Off to work!

I'm doing the late as well. I like eating late, so it work well for me

Happy Thursday

 

[ErinC]

Okay, Okay, I'll sign in but someone else has to take the party baton! I'm a mother of 3 and I don't drink, so I don't think anyone will be interested in attending any party I would throw!! We booked this cruise about a month ago, and I just found this thread. I've read the entire thread, very interesting about the whole on again, off again booking with DCL. I hope that we aren't in the middle of some convention of "other" folks.

Anyway, we are Me, DH, DD9, DD6, DD2. We are will be traveling with friends from Birmingham, AL with DD1, that were kind enough to allow us to book DD9 in their cabin, so that we didn't have to refinance the home to afford travel! We are lowlies also, I think we are in 2506 and 2504, pretty close to some of you others.

I'll be taking both my older DD's out of school for this "educational" field trip! So no flames from me about missing school. DD9 will be in 4th grade, and DD6 will be in Kindergarten when we cruise.

Dennis, being from Fairhope(DH was born here), we should be able to understand your new southern talk! Please refrain from wearing that Yankee shirt on the cruise. I'll probably leave my Roll Tide shirt at home too! I can't imagine you wearing that shirt around on Iron Bowl day! We host a Alabama\Auburn get together at our house every year for our church. I even have a large blow up "Big AL " for the front yard.

Looking forward to planning even more for this cruise. We did the 4 day Wonder in 'O2, so this will be all new territory for us. We are so far scheduled for late seating, but are waitlisted for early. I'm not sure how my little one will be that late at night. Hopefully the early seating will come thru , for us and our friends.

I'll check back in later.
Erin

 

[b&j's_mom]

Welcome to everyone!

We have the late seating, we will see how it goes. We had early seating on the wonder and the kids were already tired by then. Oh well, I'm sure all will work out fine!

ErinC- We are taking my daugher out of kindergarten, too, no flames from me!

kcatior- Vegas!! I am so jealous!! Very fond memories for me, my husband and I eloped in Vegas in '98, we haven't been back yet, but I would love to!

Take care!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

No flames from us Foxes either for taking the kids out of school. I very much value their formal education but feel supplementing it with an opportunity to travel is fantastic. Last fall, we took them on the underwater glass bottom boat and they got to see the coral reef and marine life that DS learned about in 2nd grade. We took them to the Cozumel museum where they saw ancient artifacts. We took them to Chacchoben to see the Mayan ruins/pyramid. I appreciate they need to learn the ABCs and 123s but experiences are crucial to learning as well. We love to have fun but realize that they are missing a week of school, so we do everything possible to make it educational. The kids club even has some educational stuff..."how to make flubber" comes to mind (a little chemistry).

We have DS who will be 9 and DD who will be 6 when we cruise. We're in early seating. (Does the new person have to put together a spreadsheet with this info.? )

 

[b&j's_mom]

fourfoxes- where did you take the glass bottom boat tour? how much "under water" were you actually able to see? we are trying to see if this would be a good excursion for us. Thanks!

 

[power_alaska]

Hi Guys ... Thought I would "do lunch" .... ~ LATE DINNER for us!

Becky - I agree - NO PC ~ What was I thinking!!!

KC - Just got back from Vegas in Feb. Lotsa fun... Probably will be ther in August too... I just WORK too hard...

ErinC Welcome & CONGRATULATIONS on the baton!!! Yankess (especially Uppity Yankees) give no symapthy to LOWLIE Rebels. Fairhope?! LOVE that place. My secretary for many years is/was/is from Fairhope. Jerry & Laura Sharpless - GREAT folks!!! Happen to know them? Can talk more about it later. I assume that I can wera Alaska shirts? TX Disney probably appreciates you taking the baton but I am not sure they even knew they had it, you took it so quickly. Seems to bring the lurkers out.

B&J Mom ~

Four Foxes - I have a spread sheet with MOST of the info already. OCD Needs a little updating but that does not take too long. Have previously posted short versions - DisName/State/#folks - Since no one has corrected me, I am assuming the information is generally correct.

Will distribute it if folks want it ... But probably not until the end of the month ... Must go fishng first ... YES, the more I think about it, the MORE I know I WORK TOO HARD!!!

Speaking of that ... Gotta go ...

Dennis

 

[cujobugs]

Welcome ErinC.

We also have late seating but are on a wait list for early seating. There is so many positives and negatives about both. I have mixed feelings of which I would rather have. I think it would be hard to be ready by early seating, but it seems a lot of the good kids programs in the clubs are during the late seating.

4foxes: Just curious. How far in advance did you book to be able to get early seating? I would like to know in case of future cruising for me.

 

[kcatoir]

Welcome Erin C.....Finally some more DD's
I also have DD 9, she will be almost 10 in Sept, and DD will be 11.
No flames here, taking both dd's out of 4th and 6th...........I say Bravo More families need to spend quality time together, away from school and work

I am very curious to see how much time DD's will spend in Clubs this time. Last time on the 3 day they went for a few hours one day and got bored .
That was o.k with us we had a great time together as a family. DD 9 keeps saying how she wants to go in the "seceret tunnel" so we'll see. DD's ususally travel as a pair where ever they go which is nice.
I am also wondering about how 2nd seating will go with them wanting to see the stage shows and do things in the clubs .....we'll just go with the flow.

DH has already laid claim to a Spa massage, and palo's, which we didn't have time for the last time. AAHHHH a massage

B&J's mom: Welcome to the club. DH and I eloped to vegas back in........ had to count backwards there....93'
we have begun a new tradition of celebrating his b-day and anniversary (1wk apart) in vegas since he works a trade show their every year that week. CAN't WAIT>>>>>>

Dennis: now your my hero.....2 vegas trip in 1 year I want your "WORK".

If anyone cares: STILL RAINING!

Foxes: question on Myan ruins, was it worth the treck?? Did you do an excursion or on your own. DH and DD's have been asking to go see them.

I'm Off..........

 

[b&j's_mom]

dennis- to you too!

kcatior- out of curiosity, where did you two get married? we were little church of the west. it's so fun you are able to get out there as often as you do.

My daughter didn't care that much for the clubs. There was nothing wrong with the club, she just would rather be with us. We'll give it a try again though!

 

[smilingmouse]

Hi all! Yea--it's Thursday I'm glad to see that our crazy crew is getting bigger...I hope this means the "pub tour" will be even more fun Have a great night all

 

[smilingmouse]

dennis- to you too!

kcatior- out of curiosity, where did you two get married? we were little church of the west. it's so fun you are able to get out there as often as you do.

My daughter didn't care that much for the clubs. There was nothing wrong with the club, she just would rather be with us. We'll give it a try again though!

hey B&J's Mom,

I just realized that we were on the same cruise in Jan 05....I think this is becoming a trend

 

[kcatoir]

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!

B&J's mom: We were married at the Plaza Hotel, double wedding with friends. Spur of the moment we drove from SD to Vegas arrived at 3am We only started going back in the last few years.

Pre-ordered 3rd version of Passporter......it feeds my OCD

I'm Off to work, so I can pay for this Cruise

 

[power_alaska]

Just wanted to say Hi!

Really have some chores to do today ... BUT then I will be all ready to go fishing in the rain & snow!!!

Okay - Ye Kansas-types!!! Cujo & B&J ??? Have been asked if I would consider taking over a management function in Leavenworth, KS. Other than the obvious statistics & demographics and such that I already have ... About twenty pages worth ... What do I want to know? Remember ... NO kids & my wife lives in El Paso ... So when I am not working, I have to make tremendous decisions like - golf, fish, sleep, or eat. And I consider sleeping an evil - six hours a night TOPS!. Would probably be there a couple of years?

Gotta go ... Finish these chores and draft the Magic Pub Tour itinerary...

 

[cujobugs]

Power Alaska: I am not the one to ask about Kansas. As I am not a Kansas fan at all. Let's see........Alaska or Kansas.........hmmmm..........gee.......Alaska sounds much more exciting to me. Alaska would have much more fishing, etc. Although you would be closer to your wife this way. You would see more sun in the winter. Other than that, I'm not a Kansas fan. Too much wind for me, not enough mountains, and not enough lakes/water. Maybe B & J's mom will give you a more positive outlook.
Cost of living must be much less here than Alaska. Good luck with your decision.

Have a great Friday.

 

[bpicard9]

Hi all.

Just wanted to check-in and break my lurking habit.

Glad to see more people joining in. Looks like we have at least three new kindergarteners on our cruise.

happy friday

 

[b&j's_mom]

smiling mouse- I didn't realize that we were on the same cruise in January! That's funny! Did you have fun? That may be a dumb question...we had a great time, I think this one will be more relaxing. Last time I thought I had to try to squeeze everything into the 4 days.

power alaska - I don't really know that much about Kansas, I grew up in Missouri. I barely live in Kansas now, state line is about 1 minute away from my house, if we travel anywhere locally, it isn't into Kansas. But, it seems like you really like your fishing and outdoor stuff. I'm sure there is stuff like that in KS, but no comparison to what you have in Alaska. The good news...Gate's BBQ and Rosatti's Pizza only an hour away in k.c.! Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

fourfoxes- where did you take the glass bottom boat tour? how much "under water" were you actually able to see? we are trying to see if this would be a good excursion for us. Thanks!

We did this excursion in Cozumel and it was a great trip. The coral reef is not far from the coast but you feel like you're so far out in the ocean. We saw rays, sea stars, grouper, and LOTS of other fish. There's also an airplane that was sunk after being used in a movie and it's a big snorkeling draw so there are lots of people waving to you under the water. It was really cool and the kids loved it!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Foxes: question on Myan ruins, was it worth the treck?? Did you do an excursion or on your own. DH and DD's have been asking to go see them.

I'm Off..........

We really enjoyed the excursion to Chacchoben. We landed in Costa Maya and boarded a bus to the ruins. Our guide, Dora, was very knowledgeable and the kids got a kick out of the fact that we were being led by "Dora The Explorer." The ruins are not huge like Chichen Itza or Tulum but are in the process of being excavated. Even still, there's an impressive Pyramid and other structures to view. You can climb steps that give you a phenomenal view. Most of the area is shaded so it didn't get too hot and I remember the price was extremely reasonable for the (I think) 4 hour excursion. It's easy walking and you can skip the climbing part if that's too difficult. There were folks of all ages on our bus. I'm sure if you search "Chacchoben" on the other cruise forum, you'll find threads about it. We liked it a lot, especially since DS, age 8, thought he was Indiana Jones. After we came back to the port, we hopped in a cab to the little beach just south. Sat under a thatched umbrella, drank a few Sol beers and had the BEST chicken enchiladas that we ever had in our lives. Kids didn't have swim suits so they just waded in the gorgeous water in their shorts. The town is very primitive and looks like a movie set. I will say that the folks who live there are getting adjusted to the cruise ships docking at their new port and still haven't figured out how to tactfully sell their wares. But, if approached, just smile politely, say "no" firmly and walk on by. A great day!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Duh. We're not even going to Costa Maya on this cruise so ignore the last post. There are small ruins on Cozumel that we didn't see and you can also take the full day excursion to Tulum. I haven't been there but my SIL said the ruins are fantastic. There's an age recommendation on that, if I remember correctly. But, take everything I say with a grain of salt because I can't even remember my room number or our ports of call!

 

[power_alaska]

Well ... that was not a rousing support for KS. I am sure there are some nice things but ... Wind? hmmm There is a little place in the interior of Alaska where I have spent some time ... Wind hardly ever stops and the temps can get to -40 easily without the wind. NOT a lot of fun ...

So ... as I suspected. It was not high on my consideration analysis anyhow.

I was kinda hoping to meet TOTO though ... Like Cairn Terriers!!!

Thanks

Dennis