September 10, 2005 - Western Cruise!

[Donnica]

Awwwwwwwww see... I have my own personal Disney cruise director!!!!!! LOL
YAY for Jenn!

We aren't even sure where to start with Sue. We are scraping together some cash to send her so she can get her immidiate needs. She now has the three displaced children and 4 cats added to her family and I don't even know how old they are or anything at this point. Thank you for your thoughts of them.

 

[fltink]

Awwwwwwwww see... I have my own personal Disney cruise director!!!!!! LOL
YAY for Jenn!

We aren't even sure where to start with Sue. We are scraping together some cash to send her so she can get her immidiate needs. She now has the three displaced children and 4 cats added to her family and I don't even know how old they are or anything at this point. Thank you for your thoughts of them.

Well, we want to help. We want to do what we can. I think all of us cruising must feel just a bit guilty that we are about to enjoy seven days of food and drink and there are so many who have nothing. I'm sorry to be a downer when we are all so excited, but I think now's the time to step up. Donna, please let us know what we can do. Do the kids need clothes? Jay and I are going to do what we can and I know some other people that want to help too.

 

[HollyTyler]

I am already a hyper person so by next Thursday I probably won't be able to contain myself.

That's SO funny because I'm the same way! In fact, when I was a teenager, working at Little Caesars Pizza, my manager actually put "Jolly" on my name tag instead of Holly because I was always so happy and bouncing off the walls!

Every day, my son and I do a countdown of how many days left until we cruise. I just hope the suitcase set I bought online will reach me in time. My old one broke last time! I can always borrow one if I have to, but it would sure be nice to use my new stuff!

 

[HollyTyler]

Donnica: I'd like to help too. If you can think of specific stuff they need, or if it's just cash, I'll help. There's a website I go to, www.freecycle.org that could help too. You go there, sign up for your location, and can say what's going on and that you're looking for stuff to help your family out. It's a great site. Please check it out! And let me know what I can do to help too.

 

[fltink]

We just cancelled our pedicures so that we can help a little more. One pedicure will add up to a decent amount of clothes or food for someone that has nothing.

 

[HollyTyler]

We just cancelled our pedicures so that we can help a little more. One pedicure will add up to a decent amount of clothes or food for someone that has nothing.

That was going to be my next suggestion. I was thinking that if some of us would forego one thing we have booked, and use that money for helping the New Orleans people, it would all add up to quite a bit of help!

 

[fltink]

All it takes is helping one family at a time. Since Donna is like a sister to me, I'm more than happy to start helping her family first. Just tell me how old the kids are and what they need and we'll do all that we can.

 

[HollyTyler]

Hey everybody, a friend from work is going on the 7 day Magic tomorrow (Saturday). She told me she'd e-mail me while she's onboard, so I'll let you know if she has any info we all might need or want.

 

[mom+3girls]

Hey everyone, I just checked the Port Canaveral web cam the Magic is home the Magic is home!!!!!

And we will be on her 1 week from today.

 

[fltink]

Good to see the Magic back in her home Port! It's almost time!

 

[stina]

Hi Donnica,

Yes, I too would be more than happy to help out your sister. Please let me know if there is anything I can send and where it would be sent to. Does she need cat food or litter? I have a little furry baby at home so I understand. One of the donations I made nationally was to the Humane Society, they already have animal officers working on animal rescues down there.

Again, please let me know what I can do. Like I said, I've made national funds donations but if there's something I can do for an individual that would be so good.

Trying to get excited for the trip but feeling really devastated by all that is happening. I will definitely be thinking carefully about what I spend money on during the trip so that I can contribute more to the rescue efforts.
I am wondering if there will be some kind of onboard fundraiser too. I mean, I don't know how hip Disney is to that, but the way I see it, it's a great opportunity for a bunch of people in one place to contribute. I mean even if it was something lighthearted, like, they raised the drink of the day price a dollar and that money went to relief.

So I'm trying to get packed and get everything together. Gotta go to the bank and the dry cleaners for last minute stuff this morning. I actually started packing last week, all the detail stuff like medicines and snorkel gear, etc. Now I've just gotta do the clothes. So many outfits and shoes! It's gonna be challenging to keep it all compact.

I am hoping we will have clear skies next Saturday as this time a week from today we will almost ready to land in Orlando.

stina

 

[fltink]

Stina,
Disney gave 3.5 million dollars to the relief fund as a flat-out donation. I doubt they will be doing anything on-board, but maybe.

 

[Donnica]

I appreciate all the offers from everyone here. To have people you haven't even met yet have such an out pouring of generosity is heart warming. I can't wait to meet you all!!!!!!! Unfortunately at this point right now I still don't have any specifics. The phone lines even in upper LA are on and off at times. We haven't been able to get through to anyone in the house again since we got word that Sue and "extended" family were there and are safe. We couldn't even get through to the post office to find out that mail service and processing from up here is getting through. We have come up with some money to send but want to make sure first that the check will get there safe and sound. I will be sure to let you all know when we know more. Thanks again to all of you.

Now... for the fun part.... ARE WE THERE YET!!!!!!!!!! Only a week left! Last night I started pulling out some of my clothes. I have intentions, who knows if it will happen all today, to pull EVERYTHING out of my closet. Pull out clothes I'm taking, clothes I'm keeping and clothes I'm donating. Now there is an ambitious task! LOL I will do all this after I weigh in at weight watchers and feel all good about myself LOL

FLTink just called and asked if I was prepared for pirate night yet... <blink> ummmm.........

 

[fltink]

Well, I know that I am heading to Wal-Mart in a couple of days to get gift cards for two reasons. 1.) Because they make great tips for Crew Members that go above and beyond onboard, and for crew that is not supposed to take tips like the Kid's Club Councelors. 2.) Because I figured it was the best thing to donate to Donna's sister-in-law. There's a Wal-Mart near where they are staying and they have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Since they are now looking after 5 kids, they are going to need to do some shopping!

 

[ImNarek]

I'm doing the one-week Happy Dance. Only one week until a _much_ needed vacation.

Though I too am feeling guilty. I wish I could do something to help the people in New Orleans. We've made donations to relief organizations, but it never seems enough. I always want to DO something. After the Tsunami I made hand-printed cards & bookmarks which I sold to raise money for disaster relief. I am wondering if I should try that again, and whether I should make a new design, or if I should resurrect the old one, which featured a stylized pen & ink drawing of an enormous wave. I included one of my favorite quotes from Jaques Cousteau "There are no boundaries in the Real Planet Earth. The persistent tides - the pulse of the see - do not discriminate, they push against all the varied shores on Earth." To me, its a reminder that political and geographical boundaries are an illusion, and that we are all bound together as a family in good times and in bad.

One of the reasons I love cruises is that I love being on the ocean; I love the water, I love the mystery, and I love being "between boundaries" as it were. (yes, I know I'm a little weird - but I'm not alone).

"And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.." from Sea Fever by John Masefield.

Donnica - please keep us posted about your family. My prayers are with them, and if there is something I can do to help, let us know. This will likely sound silly, but my first thought is to send crayons, pads of paper, and other basic art supplies for the kids and maybe even the adults. I know that food, clothing, and a place to stay are of primary importance, but art has a way of healing, too, for some.

 

[woj68]

S-E-V-E-N more days people!

 

[HollyTyler]

OK. Call me crazy, but I'm already considering our 3rd Dis cruise. We'll most likely do the 10 night in Sept. '06. I'll make my final decision over this weekend. Anybody else considering that one?

 

[woj68]

OK. Call me crazy, but I'm already considering our 3rd Dis cruise. We'll most likely do the 10 night in Sept. '06. I'll make my final decision over this weekend. Anybody else considering that one?

We've talked about booking our 2nd cruise onboard. But were considering the 7-night Western to Costa Maya with the double dip to CC. I'd really like to go on the 11-night Southern but don't think we can swing that.

 

[JNorris]

OK. Call me crazy, but I'm already considering our 3rd Dis cruise. We'll most likely do the 10 night in Sept. '06. I'll make my final decision over this weekend. Anybody else considering that one?

We were thinking about that one too, but I am just too nervous about pulling my child out of school that long! I think we are going to book a 7 day Eastern for Sept 06, after we see how this Sept cruise goes.

Judy

 

[HollyTyler]

I might have to settle for a 7 day as well. I've been talking to my son's dad about the 10 or 11 day and we both agreed that would be too long for them to be away from each other. He was missing his dad by the end of our week Dis vacation in June, so I can't imagine making him wait 3 or 4 more days. Common sense has set in!