September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[knotyscot]

Your DH should be fine. To give you an idea, Steve will wear Dockers and a polo without a jacket for dinner most nights. For formal night, semi-formal night, and Palo he will wear a suit and tie.

When you make a reservation at Palo you have to choose a time. You may not have made a choice and they just took a default time. If you go and retrieve your reservation on line, you should be able to see the time.

For wrinkled clothes, I'm right there with Bareacuda. The first night I am going to send out what ever needs pressing and let DCL take care of that. They will do your laundry too. The prices are quite reasonable. But if you want to do it yourself, there are a few laundry rooms spread throughout the ship. On our first cruise I didn't know about sending items out and waited around each day to use the iron in the laundry room. I haven't done any laundry while on the cruise. I do wash a few things out by hand. For shorts, t-shirts and such I use that Downey Wrinkle Releaser. It works pretty well for casual clothes.

Eva, Would you explain something to this virgin Disney Cruiser: There are 7 dinner nights on the cruise. There are, I think, 3 resturants that you are officially assigned to for early or late seating for 3 out of the 7 nights. What happens on the rest of the nights? I don't quite get it: Where are the dinners for the semi-formal and formal nights? Then that still leaves 2 more nights? Do you get rotated back into the 3 main resturants? If we have our Palo dinner on night 1 then how does that work with our assigned dinners; do we miss out on one of the resturants? Do these questions make any sense at all? Can we buy a refillable hi-ball glass for $12.00 to take to any bar on the ship for your favorite cocktail drink refill for the duration of the cruise? Is the bar open yet?

 

[Bareacuda]

Eva, Would you explain something to this virgin Disney Cruiser: There are 7 dinner nights on the cruise. There are, I think, 3 resturants that you are officially assigned to for early or late seating for 3 out of the 7 nights. What happens on the rest of the nights? I don't quite get it: Where are the dinners for the semi-formal and formal nights? Then that still leaves 2 more nights? Do you get rotated back into the 3 main resturants? If we have our Palo dinner on night 1 then how does that work with our assigned dinners; do we miss out on one of the resturants? Do these questions make any sense at all? Can we buy a refillable hi-ball glass for $12.00 to take to any bar on the ship for your favorite cocktail drink refill for the duration of the cruise? Is the bar open yet?

I can answer some of your questions.
Dining...
Yes there are 3 dining rooms, Lumire's Animator's and Parrot Cay.
Every night you will be in one of the rooms. Let's start with Lumire's, next night Animators the next Parrot Cay the 4th night you will start all over again with Lumer's. Then there is Palo's. It's for adults only and it's a specialty dining... you need reservations. Yes, you would miss out on one of the assigned dinings. And again... yes, you will just catch up with your regular dining assignment when you go to Palo's.
I can answer the drink question... we don't drink. We hit the drink station hard with our personal mugs we bring.

Ann

 

[Bareacuda]

Great pre cruise report. I can't wait to read more!!!

You mentioned a tiara on the 24th! How funny... but it would be neat to have a pic of all us "Princesses" with our tiaras that night! All decked in our formals and a tiara, and the guys in tuxs.

Ann

 

[scrapperjill]

Eva, Would you explain something to this virgin Disney Cruiser: There are 7 dinner nights on the cruise. There are, I think, 3 resturants that you are officially assigned to for early or late seating for 3 out of the 7 nights. What happens on the rest of the nights? I don't quite get it: Where are the dinners for the semi-formal and formal nights? Then that still leaves 2 more nights? Do you get rotated back into the 3 main resturants? If we have our Palo dinner on night 1 then how does that work with our assigned dinners; do we miss out on one of the resturants? Do these questions make any sense at all? Can we buy a refillable hi-ball glass for $12.00 to take to any bar on the ship for your favorite cocktail drink refill for the duration of the cruise? Is the bar open yet?

I'll also add my two cents about a few things...

First off sending your clothes out to be pressed by DCL is a WONDERFUL idea...and IMO the way to go. When we did it...we were charged 1/2 of what the dry cleaning prices were....Which if you do much dry cleaning you'll have an idea of what those will run. I was very suprised and thought the prices were the norm for the service. I did make the mistake though the first time we sent out thing out by NOT stuffing everything in the drycleaning bag. I had my formal dress...that wasn't that wrinked...but wanted to go ahead and have it done...but I didn't want to stuff it in the bag and make it worse...so I filled the paper out and put my dress, the form and the bag on the bed. When we got back from dinner it was ALL hanging up on the hook on the wall. Anyways...our room steward didn't realize that's what I wanted...long story short I almost ended up wearing my wrinkled dress to dinner on formal night. I think they also say to give them at least a day to get it back to you....so If you do plan on sending things out to be pressed I'd do it that first night.

Dinner wear....What you listed for your hubby sound great. My DH will most likely wear docker like slacks along with a camp shirt....and of course socks and shoes. No tie or jacket...except for formal/semi formal. On those nights (and Palo) he'll wear a button up shirt and tie along with slacks. I still think he's bypassing the jacket all together this year.

Now...for dinner it self. There are three dinning rooms and each stateroom is assigned a dinning time early (main) or late....You should know if your early or late already. BUT you won't know your exact dinning time until check in. After you get your official dinning time and rotation...It'll be the same all cruise long. For example if your given PLA early @ 6:15...you'll go to Parrot Cay the first night at 6:15, to Luminers at 6:15 the next night, Animators at 6:15 the next night...then you'll start the rotation over...by going to Parrot Cay at 6:15...and so on. You'll actually end up going to the first dinning room THREE times where as the others you'll only go to two time each (that is for dinner.)....

To add to the confussion...the first three nights on the cruise each dinning room service it's own menu....but by the fourth night EACH dinning room serves the same menu...ie Pirate Night= Pirate menu in ALL dinning rooms. So on the 4,5,6,7 nights on the ship each dinning room is serving the exact same menu.

With you having Palo on the first night you'll only miss the menu selection that's in that particular dinning room that night. Again...for example if your dinning rotation said your scheduled for Parrot cay first...you'll just miss the PC menu.

Oh...and for formal and semi formal...you'll just go to the dinning room that's next on your rotation. Again..if you had PLA you'd be scheduled for Animators on the third night...which I believe is Formal night...so you'd just follow your regular rotation. For Semi formal...you'd do the same thing...just go to the next dinning room on your rotation....which if I'm thinking of it correctly should be the same one you have for Formal night.

Anyways...I'm not sure if that helps any more or just made it worse

 

[CustardTart]

Made that 106°F. DCL take me away. Mike

Oh my!!!

 

[CustardTart]

TGI Friday!!!

Another week down and only 5 to go before DH and I get on that plane...

Yesterday I finally ordered a few sheets of magnetic paper so, who knows, I might just get into the whole door magnet thing! Now to coax the printer into life... DH's looking at new suits today so fingers crossed he doesn't commit sartorial suicide!

And thank you guys for your very kind comments! I assure you I'm no writer - just a SAHM with too much time on her hands...

 

[eva]

You said it Karen, TGI Friday To You Too!

Boy the days are going faster and faster. Steve and I (mostly Steve) have bitten off a fairly huge project that we hope to have near completion before the cruise. We gutted his DM's kitchen down to the studs two weeks ago. The electrical work is about done and we will start the task of putting up plaster board by the end of next week. The only think that we are sourcing out is the actual plastering. Then we have the tasks of painting, laying a new sub floor, tiling the floor and backsplash, installing cabinets, etc. to contend with. Right now I am in the middle of the fun part by helping DMIL with picking out all the items. Later today we will be picking out her countertops and tile.

knotyscot, it seems that a number of people have already answered your questions about dinner. If you are still unsure let us know. It can seem complicated at first. The drink question was a yes on our last cruise. Not sure if it is still the same. I don't think it was quite $12. But you could buy a drink in one of the plastic hurricane glasses and pay a bit more. Then if you brought it back, they would refill it for you for the same price as a regular drink. I think it gave you about 50% more drink. I hope that they are still doing it. But with all the Norwalk virus stuff that has gone on over the last couple of years, they may have discontinued the practice. But you can be sure I will be at the bar with mine asking for a refill.

 

[FatCat]

Not sure about the mix drink the the beer mug program still exists. However they swap out the mug.

Perhaps they do that with the hurricane glass as well.

I will have to start to do the math on this one.

From what I can tell they just give you more mixer. Shot size is the same.

I guess I plan on bringing me stash of rum on de boat.

So more mixer may be welcome.

 

[#1 Minnie Lover]

Made that 106°F. DCL take me away. Mike

Ah, I LOVE IT!! Although I am a stay at home mom who gets to sit in the pool with the little one.

Great pre trip report Karen! I have a feeling we all better behave ourselves on this cruise or we will find ourselves in Karen's report!!! That means no spandex or virgin protector outfits at the virgin bar!

 

[CustardTart]

...Great pre trip report Karen! I have a feeling we all better behave ourselves on this cruise or we will find ourselves in Karen's report!!! That means no spandex or virgin protector outfits at the virgin bar!

Oooh Michelle I don't know what you mean!?! Of course I shan't be stalking you all from the get-go...

Note to self - remember to pack selection of disguises, night vision goggles and a dictaphone!!!

 

[#1 Minnie Lover]

Oooh Michelle I don't know what you mean!?! Of course I shan't be stalking you all from the get-go...

Note to self - remember to pack selection of disguises, night vision goggles and a dictaphone!!!

This cruise is going to be so much fun!

 

[CustardTart]

I just did this quiz and it turns out I am agile, matured and senseless! Now if that doesn't make me the ideal cruise mate, I don't know what does...

Can anyone else handle the truth about themselves..?

 

[papa]

I am most like

Winnie the Pooh

 

[FatCat]

I am most like Donald Duck.

I agree with the impatient characteristic.

Where is my upgrade !!!!!!

 

[scottrob]

I am most like...

Hmmm...

 

[brady961]

i everyone. i am finally back home. we buried my mother last saturday but i stayed this week to assist in settling her estate and affairs.

i am mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted. i will try to catch up on the thread at some point.

i so appreciate all the thoughts and prayers rec'd from you guys.

i am ready to cruise and is needed more now than even when i booked.

again thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

 

[#1 Minnie Lover]

I am most like...

Hmmm...

Me too!

 

[CustardTart]

Marsha, hon, so glad to see you posting after the terrible time you and your family have had!

I know how hard it was when I lost my Mum 14 years ago and my heart goes out to you. Rest assured the cruise will be the tonic you need. In the meantime, please take care of yourself...

Sending you my very best wishes as always...
Kxxx

 

[brady961]

thanks Karen. i agree the cruise is needed more now then ever. so can't wait to meet everyone, relax, and have fun.

 

[CustardTart]

Can anyone else handle the truth about themselves..?

Not sure my DH can - this is how he fared...

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