September 22, 2007 -- WESTERN

[brady961]

hey gang. i rec'd my Sept Cruise packet of info. Interesting that i never rec'd the same packet for the upcoming June cruise. Maybe cause I booked so late, right when you had to pay in full as the final payment date had past.

Although I have gotten this packet before, it still was so excited getting it for Sept. which meant to me we are getting closer and closer.

Looking forward to the 3 nights in June, as I need a break away from everything LOL.

My work schedule is booked thru August and all but about three weeks from now thru end of Aug I am booked to be out of town. Of course I have the few nights in June for crusing. Rest of June except the week leave for cruise, I am booked for work out of town. July, I have one week I fly up to Philly (our corp office is there) to attend a training. Also in July taking a thurs, fri and following mon to go celebrate my mothers 77th birthday. August nothing fun planned just working mostly out of town.

At least my schedule is going to be busy the next three months which means time will past faster and before I know it, it will be Sept cruise time.

And finally a chance to meet so many of you and put a name with a face.

I know DCL provides shampoo, soap etc.. but curious for those flying down how you manage to get your personal liquids, gels, etc...? Do you put in check luggage? I guess you will, but if anyone is like me I like in my carry on at least some lotion, deo, toothpaste/brush etc... just in case my luggage doesn't make the destination in time or at all. This 3 oz bottle of liquid, gels etc... get me only thru a couple days. esp shampoo, conditioned and hair gel.

In July flying to Philly I may have to break down and check my luggage just so I can take enough hair junk I will need for the entire week. I haven't checked a bag in years when flying. I guess I could carry what i can in carry on and buy more once get where going. probably those that are flying down have considered this as well?

Can't believe not even a month before June cruise, and barely 4 months before Sept cruise.

I went thru clothes today to place in one spot in closest clothes for June. Then another spot for Sept cruise. Of course some of June will go in Sept.

We are a few months away from Sept cruise yet I am already putting clothes together in one spot, planning what to wear on what day, night etc... LOL Anyone else already planning and arranging your clothes for the Sept cruise?

<G>

 

[CustardTart]

Hey Marsha! Nice to see ya...

Sooo jealous of your upcoming cruise - it'll be upon you before you know it. Have a WONDERful time...

I want my cruise documents!!!! OK I can't be too mad as I did receive a fab DVC DVD today - it had a really informative section on AKV. I loved it!!!!

I have been buying a few outfits for the cruise and hanging them together in one of my closets. So far I have some lovely chiffon-y tops for wearing over swimwear (poss. good for evenings with leggings, fancy shoes and jewellery) and a couple of pairs of cropped trousers with matching kaftans. I still haven't braved swimwear or more formal evening clothes yet...

I put all our liquids in our checked luggage - I can't be bothered with the whole clear plastic bag/100ml container thing. I am thinking of getting a larger carry-on bag now that we're only allowed one piece of hand luggage. I have yet to see anything I've wanted to buy tho'...

Best wishes for the coming weeks and your cruise...

 

[brady961]

Karen
Aren't your airports/airlines even more strick then ours here in the states of what you can/can't take in a carry-on? Or the size of the carry-on?

I sure am hoping that by July here in the states they have dropped this less than 3oz of liquids etc... in carry on. I understand airports/airlines being cautious but geeesh. 3oz??????????? If someone wants to cause harm in an airport or in a plane they will find a way, with or without being allowed to carry on 3 oz of liquids.

Don't get me wrong, I agree there should be screenings, bag checks etc... yet don't agree we are anymore safer with ppl only having 3oz or less in liquids <G>

Swimwear, I have two one piece suits already. Doesn't matter what style of swimsuit I wear, as I still will wear a t-shirt and shorts over the swimsuit LOL.

Don't forget the sunblock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later gators

 

[papa]

Some tips for our first time cruisers and us all.

As Marsha said, Don't forget the sunblock. Be sure to pack a few band aids for the blisters that you will get on your feet and boo boo's on the kids. Don't wait until the week of the cruise to purchase new shoes, buy them a month or so before and wear them to break them in. Nothing worse than trying to break in new shoes and having hurting feet.

If you are going to do laundry on board, go to a walmart or anywhere and get one of those collapseable hampers. They fold down to almost nothing and make it a snap to do your clothes on board.

Be sure to bring extra memory cards for your digital cameras, and if they use a special battery bring an extra one. Don't forget to buy a waterproof disposable camera for use on the beaches.

An over the door shoe organizer that you can get at the dollar store is great for storing cosmetics, toiletries, kids small toys and stuff. It doesn't take long for stuff to multiply and the cabin to become crowded.

Pack your prescription medications in their original containers and place them in your carry on bags. Also make a list of any medications that you are taking in case their is an accident or medical emergency and the nurses and doctors need to know what your are taking.

The main thing to remember is that you are on vacation and to relax. Go with the flow. Try to maintain your Mickey attitude toward your fellow cruisers.

Good manners are never out of place no matter where in the world you are. When approached by locals in different countries trying to sell you stuff, a polite no thank you goes a long way. They are just trying to make a living and feed their families too. Remember some of us old folks are crabby

Mike

 

[CustardTart]

Karen
Aren't your airports/airlines even more strick then ours here in the states of what you can/can't take in a carry-on? Or the size of the carry-on?

Yes - it's a total pain. There's the whole "liquids in a see-thru bag" thing which I don't mind too much but we are now restricted to one piece of hand luggage per passenger. Now I've always taken a handbag and a small backpack onboard before so I'm going to have to re-think. I've seen some carry-on cases on QVC which adhere to all the size regulations so I'm thinking I might get a couple of those (1 each for DH and myself) in jolly colours. They'll probably be useful as overnighters too so there's a silver lining...

Some tips for our first time cruisers and us all...The main thing to remember is that you are on vacation and to relax. Go with the flow. Try to maintain your Mickey attitude toward your fellow cruisers.

Good manners are never out of place no matter where in the world you are. When approached by locals in different countries trying to sell you stuff, a polite no thank you goes a long way. They are just trying to make a living and feed their families too. Remember some of us old folks are crabby

Totally agree, Mike!

 

[eva]

Thanks for all the Happy Birthday wishes for my daughter. I think she had a pretty nice birthday. We took her out to eat and she had a chocolate lava cake for dessert.

Today we are cleaning the house and I took a quick break to pop in and read all the posts I've missed. Steve's family is coming over for a cookout and we have a bunch of things to do before they get here. Like buy the food!

Mike and Marsha are right. And I will say it again, bring plenty of sunscreen. I rarely burn, but did on our last cruise. With the wind and all the water it happens fast and you really don't feel it until later.

We received our passports this week. It took 68 days. Just 2 days short of the promised 10 weeks.

Boy, am I ready to go!

 

[Bareacuda]

Karen, I was at the Las Vegas airport a few weeks ago and read the restrictions ... we are able to bring a purse and a carry-on. My laptop and a purse!
I was able to buy all my evening wear in January. And I picked up a new swim suit last week. Gosh ... I hope Im done buying clothes!

Mike... OUCH... sorry about the car.
Marsha.. a cruise in a few days Im so green with envy
Eva.. Lava cake... I could eat my weight in that yummmmy stuff!

As you can see... nothing new here!

Ann

 

[papa]

Saw this on the food network today and thought of Marsha. http://www.plateoftheday.com/93/ Key lime pie, frozen and then a stick is placed in it, and dipped in chocolate. Mike

 

[CustardTart]

Thanks for all the Happy Birthday wishes for my daughter. I think she had a pretty nice birthday. We took her out to eat and she had a chocolate lava cake for dessert.

Drool...

Boy, am I ready to go!

Totally feel the same!

BTW, happy to say, after all my moaning, the DCL pack had already arrived and was hiding under a pile of post so for that...

Saw this on the food network today and thought of Marsha. http://www.plateoftheday.com/93/ Key lime pie, frozen and then a stick is placed in it, and dipped in chocolate. Mike

Sounds fantastic! I don't know about Marsha but I'm definitely up for one of those...

 

[Bareacuda]

Ok Mike... that was SINFULLY Nice!
Thanks!

 

[papa]

Wish I was sitting on deck nine, with a dog from Pluto's dog house. Chicken fingers and fries would be ok too. Mike

 

[Bareacuda]

Wish I was sitting on deck nine, with a dog from Pluto's dog house. Chicken fingers and fries would be ok too. Mike

I would be thrilled just to be sitting on deck 9 !

And just think... one day closer to the CRUISE!!!

 

[CustardTart]

I would be thrilled just to be sitting on deck 9 !

And just think... one day closer to the CRUISE!!!

Morning all!

As it's a public holiday, DH is at home so we are taking a trip to Canterbury (beautiful old historic Cathedral city about 50 miles south) to see our eldest DS's Graduate art exhibition. I am soo looking forward to seeing him as he's been away for ages plus he's coming back with us for a few days to celebrate his little brother's birthday. I'm a happy Mom...

 

[T&KHayes]

Man you guys are all so lucky....I still haven't received my cruise papers and I cant' wait!!!

Marsha- I bid on a pal mickey and won!!!! So it looks like we wil be joining you in the fun! I can't wait to get him and play with him, I think the kids are going to have a blast with him at The World, we are going there for 3 days before we get on the ship! Gosh I am soooo excited I can hardly stand it! I think I am going to have to start looking for some other little outfits for him now lol.

Mike- Good tips! I especially like the collapseable hamper idea we did laundry last cruise but it was not as easy without a basket lol! I also suggest buying the little tablets of detergent, as they are already pre-measured and it's easy to pack too!

Can't wait till 90 days so we can start booking Palo!!!

 

[Bareacuda]

Hope everyone is having a great extended weekend...

Papers and sailing date will be here all too soon!

The Other Ann

 

[papa]

Kim I have one other tip, if any of you are going to get new undies before the cruise, just take a few pair. Take a lot of the old ones that you are going to throw away, and wear them. Toss them after you are through wearing them in the trash, and that way you have more room in your suitcases. Mike

 

[Bareacuda]

Kim I have one other tip, if any of you are going to get new undies before the cruise, just take a few pair. Take a lot of the old ones that you are going to throw away, and wear them. Toss them after you are through wearing them in the trash, and that way you have more room in your suitcases. Mike

 

[papa]

Ann it does give you a little more room in the suitcases. Bigger people like me would have more room. Mike

 

[CustardTart]

...if any of you are going to get new undies before the cruise, just take a few pair. Take a lot of the old ones that you are going to throw away, and wear them. Toss them after you are through wearing them in the trash, and that way you have more room in your suitcases. Mike

Actually, if I were to pack all my Big Knickers (think Bridget Jones... ) I'd need another suitcase! That was probably tooooo much information - blame Mike, he brought up the whole undies issue...

Today is the day I'm meeting up with my old grumpy skin Doc! Not looking forward to seeing him but needs must. Oh well, hope you all have a good day.

 

[eva]

Kim I have one other tip, if any of you are going to get new undies before the cruise, just take a few pair. Take a lot of the old ones that you are going to throw away, and wear them. Toss them after you are through wearing them in the trash, and that way you have more room in your suitcases. Mike

Mike, that's a hoot! I knew I should have saved that underwear I threw out last month!

Karen, Good luck with the doctor. When will you be seeing the specialist?

I can't believe we will be on the ship in just 16 weeks and 4 days!

Thank goodness I have a few business trips coming up. That will keep me busy until then. Next month I will be in Tempe, AZ for some training, in July I will be in Detroit for a week of meetings, and in August I will probably be in Remond, WA for a week or so. Arizona will likely be pretty hot the middle of June. But my niece and nephew live there. So I have scheduled some extra time to spend with them. I tried to talk Steve into coming, especailly since they are a niece and nephew from his side of the family. But he says he needs to save every dime for the cruise. What a goofball, it's only an extra airline ticket!