Sept 4-8 2005 Wonder S.S. Member Cruise!

[WDWLVR]

I think this might be a lot of the reason why you see so many low post counts. This cruise has quite a few people who already know each other, and in the beginning, I felt like I was attending a class reunion at someone else's high school. Then I decided if you want to throw your reunion on MY cruise ship, go right ahead, but you better leave room for me on the dance floor.

Yes some of us had cruise together before but we were just trying to build the excitement. Remember the one thing we all have in common is DVC. We are neighbors!

That's the whole reason I did the photo gallery and Mark is doing the buttons. So we can all get to know each other both before sailing and on the ship. Those of us who do know each other didn't before the first member cruise and I know consider them friends. Then we met more friends at member homecoming last year. I expect to meet even more friends on this cruise.

So it isn't a reunion - just a great party where everyone is invited. Everyone knows their own dances and we need to teach them to each other.

Bottom line - we are going to have fun!

 

[WDWLVR]

Mary, I'm with you... it will be nice to meet and sail with new DVC friends.

BTW... I'm happy with our thread...

If we get into a posting frenzie just for the sake of "keeping up" with the highest poster, , or being sure we don't drop of the first page, I know, I won't have the time just to keep up with the reading

This pace fits me just fine.

Just think... we are now under the 2 month mark!

Georgie - you are 100% on the mark. There isn't a competition or having to keep up. On the 10 day I think so much of it was new that we just got real excited and kept talking. I think the same thing might have happened on both of the repo threads.

On our May cruise it is partly because so many of us sailed together again and we just found a new outlet to chat.

On those threads I read every day to keep up and I started posting a good morning thread. It became kind of a ritual. I would also do the weekly countdown. Here it didn't seem to move as fast so i didn't do the good morning because I felt like it would be posting just for the sake of posting. I did start the countdown and people seemed to like it so we kept that.

Each thread has its own personality and what is right for one might not work for another. I think this one is just right for our cruise!

 

[grumpy-1]

Can someone tell me more about "Pirates Night"? What exactly is it? does it take place before, after or during the evening meal? If we were to get dressed up in a pirates costume, Then what?
Thank You

 

[WDWLVR]

Pirate's night in a fun themed night on DCL. Getting dressed as pirates isn't needed but adds to the fun. It starts in the Atrium and dining rooms. The characters are dressed as pirates as is the wait staff. You get a bandana to wear and there is a menu that looks like a pirate map that you can keep as a souvineer.

Later that evening there is a big deck party complete with fireworks. Pirates try to take over the ship. Will they succeed? You have to go and find out.

 

[WDWLVR]

Click here to go to Day 7 of our trip report from our December cruise. It tells more about pirate night and you can see a great photo of Linda (seaulater) and her family all dressed in pirate gear.

 

[WDWLVR]

I'm wondering if DVC will be giving us hats instead of shirts since there are shirts on the form of available merchandise for us cruisers. I know it will be something special but just wondering if anyone else was thinking this.

Wow - lots of posts and posters = a great group of DIS/DVCers looking to have a great time together!!!

Interesting question. Could be hats, but then they give out hats so often (we have a red, a white, and a blue from different cruises).

Of course they did offer shirts so would they also give us shirts? hmmmm

Maybe they are giving us shorts that say DVC on the cheeks and we all have to bend over for the picture.

Maybe they will give us something in different colors showing our home resorts. In which case Scott will look like Rainbow Brite.

Or maybe we'll just have to wait until September to see what they have in store for us.

 

[HookdonWDW]

So it isn't a reunion - just a great party where everyone is invited. Everyone knows their own dances and we need to teach them to each other.

Oh, I definitely figured this out over time . It was just a little intimidating in the beginning. Kinda like going to the Adventurer's Club the first time. It takes a little while to figure out that people are willing to share the "secret handshake", and that everyone is invited to participate in the fun!

 

[seaulater]

Interesting question. Could be hats, but then they give out hats so often (we have a red, a white, and a blue from different cruises).

Of course they did offer shirts so would they also give us shirts? hmmmm

Maybe they are giving us shorts that say DVC on the cheeks and we all have to bend over for the picture.

Maybe they will give us something in different colors showing our home resorts. In which case Scott will look like Rainbow Brite.

Or maybe we'll just have to wait until September to see what they have in store for us.

how about giving us about an extra 1000 points per year for free?

I would take that over a shirt or hat anytime!

Linda

 

[cgcw]

Maybe they are giving us shorts that say DVC on the cheeks and we all have to bend over for the picture.

If that's it -- I'm going to have to be sick at 10 a.m. that day! My DS5 would LOVE to pose for a picture like this -- however, I'm sure he'd drop his shorts for all to see. That would be memorable!!

how about giving us about an extra 1000 points per year for free?

Can you imagine the uproar that would cause with everyone who didn't book the cruise? I imagine they'd be the first signing up next time. I'll take those 1000 points anytime over a tshirt or a hat.

1000 points, I could only dream.

 

[chipscinderelly]

As a cruise newbie and not someone who knows anyone on the DVC cruise I will say honestly that the few times I asked some questions I didn't really feel welcome to ask them here going forward. I'm positive that this was not intended and in the end no offense was taken but wanted to pipe up since the subject came up. It does feel that so many of you know each other rather well, like a reunion, and I enjoy hearing your conversations but at times do wish we had more discussions on the cruise (eg excursions, things to do etc).

For us it's no big deal - we are looking forward to fun on the cruise and hope to meet others and make some great friends while still enjoying some time alone.

 

[WDWLVR]

I really hope that going forward anyone who wants to ask a question about the cruise feels comfortable in doing so. Those of us who have cruised before (be it on the Member Cruise or another DCL cruise) are more than willing to help answer questions. The fluff comes from not having questions to answer.

So ask away - we are here for you!

 

[MLC]

I don't know if this was asked yet but is anybody going on the cruise with a toddler? Me and my husband are bringing our daughter who will be 15 months. Does anyone know if babies get sea sick?

 

[WDWLVR]

MLC - welcome. Cindy (CGCW) has the list of all the kids. Don't know how many are as young as yours. They do have a nursery on board so they are well equipped to handle little ones.

 

[alikat99]

I don't know if this was asked yet but is anybody going on the cruise with a toddler? Me and my husband are bringing our daughter who will be 15 months. Does anyone know if babies get sea sick?

We'll be cruising with my 2 DDs, one will be almost 4 and the other will be 16 months. I know that a few years ago, we took our oldest on a DCL cruise and she didn't seem to have any seasickness problems. I also know that DianaLyn is bringing her 2 DDs also, and they are in between my youngest. So, I guess we'll be seeing each other around Flounders.

 

[MarkRG]

Julie(I hope), don't ever feel we're trying to exclude anyone, furthest from the truth. I wouldn't be making buttons for everyone going if I wanted to exclude anyone(and there are certainly a LOT more buttons than posters; c'mon and post people!!), quite the opposite, I want to include everyone. Don't let a past relationship some of may have stop anyone from joining in, this is for everyone.

It is interesting you mention excursions as I did want to work something up on that as Mary and I have been to Key West before.

Just havn't had the time to do so, but really feel some things are worth mentioning before booking for them comes open, so I'll do a quick writeup right here and now

First,

If you are interested in either of the two land based island tours, either the Conch Train or Trolley tours!

I have one very solid piece of advice: Think Twice! I will tell you why, keep going..

-You can get a better deal booking them yourself online right now!

-The tours thru Disney are a one-shot, you start at the dock, end back at the dock. Booking it yourself with the Trolley, you can get on and off as many times as you want, where you want(there's 8 stops across the island). More like a shuttle bus, but they still do tell you all about the island, the tour part doesn't change either way. This part is important, as there are sights all over the island, and it isn't that small that you can walk it easily with kids/elderly. They will give you a map too so you can figure out where you want to go.

-Port clearance happens a LOT sooner than the tour excursions. You can get started on exploring the island a lot sooner on your own.

Here's a link to the tour operator's website: Historic Tours of America, Key West

You want the Conch Train if you still want a one-shot tour.
The Trolley, if you want to do other things across the island.

Now, for points of interest across the island. (the names are links to their websites)

The Key West Aquarium

This is a fun aquarium to visit and it's right near the docks. When you get to the main intersection after leaving the dock area just turn left, it's right there. They have Shark and Stingray feedings that are fun to see and they tell you about the other marine life they have. I'd recommend this as a on the way back to the ship stop.

The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory

This is a huge indoor tropical scene with TONS of Butterflies, and some birds and turtles and fish, Beautiful tropical plants, I do call this a do not miss.

Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters Museum

If you want the absolutely BEST view of the island, this is the place BY FAR. I will warn you of a few things, it is a long climb up a steel spiral staircase, so if you have problems with heights or narrow places, it may not be for you. Also, one direction from the lighthouse is a gay men's club and they have a clothing optional pool. There wasn't anyone even there when we went up, but be warned....

The Southernmost Point

This is a huge cement icon at the far end of Duvall Street(miles away) from the Docks that everyone gets their picture taken at. It's literally around the corner from the Butterfly Museum so you can take a minute to stop and see if you want.

Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

Being a Chicagoan and an avid book reader, I was kind of looking forward to this. I will admit to being a bit disappointed. If you want to see a place where he lived once and how it looks many years later, go for it. It's not as much of a museum as it is an old house with some historic value and some little tidbits of his. Oh, and lots of cats. Lots and lots of cats.

Duvall Street

This is the main street across the island from the port to the Southernmost point and has the bulk of the shops along its length. Margaritaville is there, there is a cool department store that I can't for the life of me remember the name of.

The best grocery store on the island!!

Fausto's!! If you are trying to figure out how to get the groceries for in your cabin before boarding the ship at Port Canaveral, dont bother. Go here instead. It's a short walk from the dock, their prices are very reasonable, and they have a great selection. All you do is walk up Duvall until you get to Fleming, turn left it's the next block over.

Ok, that's all for now. (like, that wasn't enough??)

I will say these are all the things we've done on the island, there are other things to do, I've heard good things about a Jetski tour for the more adventureous, and the Pirate Museum is good too, but havn't been there.

If there's questions, ASK! Will be more than happy to answer them, always.

 

[WDWLVR]

One thing to add on to what Mark has said. There are fun electric cars that you can rent by the hour and tour the island that way. Shirley from The Perfect Gift is heading down to Key West this weekend and promises to look into this for us. When I hear back from her I will pass on the info to everyone.

 

[WDWLVR]

We'll be cruising with my 2 DDs, one will be almost 4 and the other will be 16 months. I know that a few years ago, we took our oldest on a DCL cruise and she didn't seem to have any seasickness problems. I also know that DianaLyn is bringing her 2 DDs also, and they are in between my youngest. So, I guess we'll be seeing each other around Flounders.

Amy - I'm sorry. How could I have forgotten your adorable little girls!

 

[alikat99]

One thing to add on to what Mark has said. There are fun electric cars that you can rent by the hour and tour the island that way. Shirley from The Perfect Gift is heading down to Key West this weekend and promises to look into this for us. When I hear back from her I will pass on the info to everyone.

I have to second the electric cars. They are a BLAST!!! We took a western cruise in Oct 2003 and rented them. We had so much fun.

 

[Malone]

Maybe they are giving us shorts that say DVC on the cheeks and we all have to bend over for the picture.

Okay, I've not been participating much other than reading posts lately, but this one deserves a reply! I just laughed and laughed out loud! Maybe I thought about it too long and got the visual image....

Thank you Mark for the Key West information. That will help us decide what to do that day. I knew I didn't want to book anything through Disney, but I want to be sure and see the best of Key West.

And to MLC, I remember reading something 2 years ago when we cruised (our daughter was 5) that small children don't get sea sick. But then I did an internet search and the site I read said that 58% of sea sickness happens in children between the ages of 3 and 12. I guess you could say that's a wash. I took some dramamine with us just in case, but we never had to open it.

Just this past weekend I went crazy and designed six door magnet signs. If I can figure out how to post a picture, I'll show you one.

So the DIS boards have definitely been working to psyche me up for the cruise!

Carrie

 

[HookdonWDW]

Mark,

Thanks for posting information about what to do in Key West. You answered some questions about things I have been researching on my own. I have a couple of questions: First, can you get on and off the trolley as much as you want? I read somewhere that you are allowed to ride the full circle once, with on and off stops, but once you get back to your point of origination, your done. Is this true or false? It would be nice to know that we could take ds back to the ship if he got bored, and then tour some more later (not thinking this would really happen, just suffering from chronic-what-if-itis ). The second question is has anyone here visited the Pirate Museum, and if so, what are your thoughts? Thanks!

Lisa