September 10, 2005 - Western Cruise!

[4Smilee]

And Daisy -- If you are a nerd, then I am the uber-nerd. I had our 2003 cruise packing list still on my laptop, so I pulled it up several months ago and updated it for this cruise. I have my outfits and the kids outfits picked out well ahead of time. I stress way too much if I leave that sort of stuff to the last minute.

Kristin

 

[fltink]

Ok, so as far as I know, plastic swords are fine. Kids had them on the ship last time. I'd say, if anything, the concern would be with the airline, but I highly doubt that.

Now, as for the Sting Ray Excursion in Castaway Cay.... the Repo cruisers said it was awesome! And only $30 per person. Now, on the downside, word is that it will not "Officially" open until Sept. 20th. Doesn't it figure? However, if the cruise line is anything liek the parks, they will be doing what's called a soft opening, where it is not announced that it is open, but guests are allowed to experience it anyway. Let's hope!

 

[JNorris]

Judy,

Don't rush our "next week trip" too fast! That's Wednesday! Tomorrow would be Grand Cayman...and those delicious Tortuga Rum Cakes!!!!

Oops, my bad! I keep getting Cozumel day and Grand Cayman day mixed up!

Judy

 

[bstsuda]

hate to say it....but my DS (14) and I took 4 suitcases - 2 large ones - weighed 40-45 lbs JAM PACKED full on the way home - 2 mediums, and 3 carry-on's (one being my purse)...
also, yes i was able to take a toy sword and hook - they were packed into one of the suitcases that went into baggage....not a carryon.....

 

[Donnica]

FLTink.... get rid of your cold but when you do, don't do it by giving it to one of US! NO SHARING! (feel better little buddy)

Ok here is a little trick for those of you worried about the weight of your suitcase. If you check in online or at a concourse, use the curbside check in. The curbside guys don't actually work for the airline so all they are thinking is TIP. Our last trip we also did this and I know our suitcases were over. Usually at curbside you have guys that lift this stuff all day.They know it's heavy but it doesn't feel as heavy to them as it does the girl from Delta checking it inside with the scale right there. They don't have the scale outside. Again... am I smaht or what! LOL

Here I am worrying about how I am going to stop my stuff from rattling around in my big ole suitcase lol I try to pack as light as possible and try and have no real carry on bag as carry on's go. I hate lugging the stuff around with me everywhere I go in the airport before the flight. I have a Micky tote back that I put essentials for the flight and valuable in and that is it.

Three and a half work days! YAY! As if I will be productive that half day. Tomorrow I will spend the day trying to show someone how to my job since the girl who kept me caught up the last time is gone. It can be good to be the only one who knows how to do what you do until it comes vacation time LOL It's only paper work stuff... the other office manager stuff I do can either wait or they can just go higher up and bug them!

Are we there yet?

 

[bstsuda]

FLTink.... get rid of your cold but when you do, don't do it by giving it to one of US! NO SHARING! (feel better little buddy)

Ok here is a little trick for those of you worried about the weight of your suitcase. If you check in online or at a concourse, use the curbside check in. The curbside guys don't actually work for the airline so all they are thinking is TIP. Our last trip we also did this and I know our suitcases were over. Usually at curbside you have guys that lift this stuff all day.They know it's heavy but it doesn't feel as heavy to them as it does the girl from Delta checking it inside with the scale right there. They don't have the scale outside. Again... am I smaht or what! LOL


Are we there yet?

Just be careful about the curbside check-in....at LAX a few weeks back they did have a scale at curbside and were weighing suitcases. The people in front of us were frantically rearranging stuff.....that was a sight to see.....i'm not sure who ever taught them how to pack to begin with

 

[HollyTyler]

Hey everybody! I questioned my friend who's on the Magic right now about the Castaway Cay Stingray Excursion. Here's a quote from her PM to me. "I checked out the excursion list for CC yesterday and did not see the Stingray City excursion on the list." Not looking good for any of us hoping for it!

 

[daisy112878]

Be careful even at Curbside check-in. In July at MCO, they did have a scale outside and they were weighing bags. The family behind us was rearranging all 5 of their bags and even had to stuff some things in their carry-ons. I know how that is b/c in Savannah last year we had to rearrange things. Now we weight before we go.

And yes Delta has a 50lbs per suitcase for anyone in Coach. If you are in first class you get 75lbs per suitcase.

 

[2_dis_kids]

Wow! I can't believe - only 4 more days. I booked our cruise back in October of 2004..and now it's almost here.

We had a tragedy in our family on Saturday (9/3)....my brother died of a heart-attack...we are still coming on our cruise though. We have had 3 deaths in 6 months...and really need this vacation!

See everyone there! We're in 7622!

 

[HollyTyler]

Hi all! This will help settle the whole "formal wear" dilemna. Once again, here's a quote from an e-mail from my friend currently on the Magic: "Last night was formal night. I wore a long black dress (on clearance at Younkers last year). I saw everything -- short dresses, summery type dresses, slacks, etc. Saw just a few tuxes, not many. So, no matter what you wear, you'll be fine."

It sure made me feel better, so I hope it helps everybody else!

2 dis kids: so sorry for your news!

 

[woj68]

Wow! I can't believe - only 4 more days. I booked our cruise back in October of 2004..and now it's almost here.

We had a tragedy in our family on Saturday (9/3)....my brother died of a heart-attack...we are still coming on our cruise though. We have had 3 deaths in 6 months...and really need this vacation!

See everyone there! We're in 7622!

So sorry to hear about your loss. I think all of us can use this vacation now more than ever.

F-O-U-R more days people!

 

[fltink]

Hey, everyone! Guess what I'm doing today???? PACKING!!!! Hoo-ray!!!!! It;s time! It's time! We leave the day after tomorrow for Orlando!!!!!!!

 

[mom+3girls]

2_dis_kids sorry to hear about you loss.

I need to just vent for a second, with some people that can understand,
I have a friend that is driving me crazy, ever since I booked this cruise (June 04) she has been so negative about it, first it was how can you afford to go on the Disney Cruise, then it was well you are going to get caught in a hurricaine and the cruise will be canceled, then your ex is never going to let you take the kids on a cruise(side bar ex signed the release that Disney sent us) next was it is a long drive and you'll never be able to that in one day(side bar been to Disney several time from Roanoke VA and driven it all in one day)
now it is you can't go because you can't afford the gas to get there.

My patience is wearing a little thin on this issue, my mother said she is just jealous.
My sister told me to tell her to kiss my a**.
Regardless the car is pulling out of my driveway Friday morning at 5 AM, I will be boarding that ship on Sat, don't care what she has to say.
Any one else having problems with friends or family members?

 

[daisy112878]

I'm sorry for your loss 2 diskids. Life is hard and unfair sometimes. I'm dealing with my sister's 5 yr battle with cancer. She's now flying back and forth from MD Anderson in Houston every thursday - Saturday. And starting in Dec or Jan she'll be out there permanently for 3-4 months. Oh and she has a 8 yo son and a 5 yo daughter. Tough times for my whole family the last several years.

mom+3girls - you momma is right. the friend is jealous. I hate when people are like that. Don't rain on my parade b/c you can't be part of it. I'm glad we are not the only ones leaving our house at 5am. Our flight leaves ATL at 7am. Thank goodness we live in midtown ATL so it's not that far. Usually we take MARTA (public train) but with 3 suitcases and carry-ons it's not going to work. So my DH got a towncar through work to get us at 445am. I told DH we might as well as sleep on thursday night. Well at this point we probably will not be considering we were out of town all weekend and have NO clothes clean.

 

[JNorris]

Any one else having problems with friends or family members?

YES!! (Sorry for the yelling!) My mother is that way. She believes we should all stay home all of the time, except take one vacation a year. But she won't come right out and say "You should not be going out of town all the time, you should stay home"; it's just the little comments she makes. I'm sure sometime today she is going to call me to tell me that 2 hurricanes are developing off the coast of Florida. I cannot get it through her head that the cruise ship will NOT sink due to a hurricane. I also can't convince her that I won't allow my DD7 to "fall off" the ship.

Really, anytime we plan a Disney vacation, I feel the disapproval from her. She worries that we spoil DD, that we throw away all our money on Disney and other vacations, that we shouldn't take DD out of school, etc. And I don't have to worry about those things, she worries enough for both of us! I am 41 years old and I can run my own life!

Wow, that felt good!

Judy

 

[woj68]

Anyone tracking this current storm? Looks like we might be in for some rough sailing come Saturday. Let's hope it passes quick.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at1+shtml/145127.shtml?3day

 

[bstsuda]

Oh my gosh....i canNOT believe how these friends and family can be so negative towards all of you because of a 'vacation that you chose"...that is just SOOOO SAD!!! Well a famous lady once said something to the effect about distancing yourself as FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE from that environment.....and I hope you all can do that the rest of this week - and concentrate on the very MAGICal and terrific vacation you'll be enjoying in just a few short days!!!(i know it's a little harder to distance from Mom but....you'll see her soon enough). Well just know there are so many others of us who are cheering you all on and wishing we were going to be with you!!!!

 

[2_dis_kids]

Hey - thanks to all for the condolences! We are definitely looking forward to the cruise! We just live in Tampa, so we will drive over early on Saturday morning. Only about a 2 hour drive. Hopefully this new tropical storm will pass on by......

Don't let anyone rain on your parades! They are just jealous! We are going to rock on the ship! Woo Hoo!!!

4 more days! Getting my manicure and pedicure on Friday!

 

[stina]

as far as vacation goes, i have both detractors and supporters. some people think it is outrageous to spend a large sum of money on a vacation. others are all for it. so i get it from both which probably balances out in the end! my cousin called last night to tell me how excited she was, and she's not even going on our cruise! she's excited for me! that's so sweet. the snobs, well i don't even discuss it around them at all. the way i see it, it's good to plan ahead in life and to save for emergencies but it's also good to LIVE. heck, any of us could be dead tomorrow. i want to do as much as possible and see as much as possible before then. i don't want my life to be lived just saving money so i can count it! no matter what happens in life, it's these special times on these trips that i will have the fondest memories of. it's an investment in my happiness right now and in the future and i think i'm worth it. jnorris, there's a pep talk for you!

2diskids: i am so sorry for your loss. this trip will definitely be a celebration of life for you and your family. sounds like you've had a rough year.

i am hoping nothing comes of that tropical depression, yikes!
go away storm!

only 4 days left!!!!


stina

 

[fltink]

That one that is on the radar that you posted will be long gone by Staurday at 5pm. HAPPY THOUGHTS !!!!!!!!