September 29, 2007 - Magic

[Gr00vyChc]

Good morning everyone! 3 more days until Florida!!

Hi Jan: I thought I'd bring some "goodies" for the CMs at the club where my DD will be. I read somewhere that those CMs don't take cash as tips, so I thought I'd get them some chocolates or candies as suggested. As for the other CMs who are able to receive cash.. then cash it is. I'll be bringing along thank you cards with me.


Hi MiniGirl: I think you should do whatever you want.. it's YOUR vacation after all. As far as dressing up... it's up to you. People who get dress up, want to.. others don't want to.. so they don't dress as formal as some. We're not going to dress in pirate gear 'coz we don't want to (only DD is dressing up) but I don't think we'll be the only ones NOT wearing them. It's just something that some people find fun.

I have to look at the paperwork again and fill them out. The ones that came in the mail that is.. the ones online I've already filled out like way back when

"Just another manic monday" wish you (it?) were thursday

Gr00vyChc

 

[tfc3rid]

I think it will be a Thursday packing for us... We're expected to put extra time in at work this week since we're gone for 10 days...

 

[tfc3rid]

The gf and I don't have anything 'pirate' to wear but we always have a good time on Pirate Night.

 

[VaykayVicky]

Hi all,

Wanted to say Thank You for all your well wishes for my DD who fractured her shoulder over the weekend. She's doing fine and although in a bit of pain, should be OK for the trip which we are ALL unbeliveably excited about
Since I just found these postings not too long ago and haven't had time to put up a family picture, at least you'll know who we are by her sling

Her b-day is Friday and we'll be at MK for the day. Anyone had any past experiences with a similar type of injury and can recommned which rides she shouldn't go on? She's just about adult size and wouldn't get knocked around too much like a smaller kid might but don't want to take any unnecessary chances. We see the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to find out what her exact restrictions will be but thought I'd get people's opinions in the meantime.
Looking forward to setting sail in, say it with me, 5 more days!!!!!

 

[ibela]

Good morning everyone! 3 more days until Florida!!

Hi Jan: I thought I'd bring some "goodies" for the CMs at the club where my DD will be. I read somewhere that those CMs don't take cash as tips, so I thought I'd get them some chocolates or candies as suggested. As for the other CMs who are able to receive cash.. then cash it is. I'll be bringing along thank you cards with me.

Gr00vyChc

Oh yeah, I think her nursery staff can't take tips either.

Thank you cards - that's so thoughtful and a nice touch.

 

[tfc3rid]

Very excited about the trip, not excited about National Hurricane Center Invest 97L... Currently, this disorganized system is impacting the Barbados area... However, current models show this proceeding Northwesterly and potnetially impacting the Dominican Republic by Tursday and possibly be located naer the Bahamas on Saturday... Keep praying this stays South... This could impact our trip...

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200797_model.html#a_topad

 

[ibela]

Very excited about the trip, not excited about National Hurricane Center Invest 97L...

I went into the office pantry where CNN is always on and groaned out loud when I saw 2 "possible hurricanes" developing. We can't change anything so let's just cross our fingers and hope for the best.

All our packing is scheduled for Thursday too.

Where in NY are you? I work in NYC, by Grand Central.

 

[tfc3rid]

NYC near Penn Station

 

[harper2203]

Hi Everyone! Happy Monday! (It is a truly happy monday since it is our last one before vacation for all of us!!) Hope everyone is feeling well!!!

I have a quick question: I have a neighbor who is fish watching while we are gone, they have 2 kids, a girl 12 years old and a boy 10 yrs old. I was wanting to do the autograph pillow case thing for them. do you think they are too old for this???? Maybe I should just stick with a t-shirt for a "thank you" gift????

 

[ibela]

well look forward to meeting you soon neighbor. in the meantime, no weather updates please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tfc3rid]

Well, here is a weather update... Latest model runs for Invest 97 show that the storm will pass SOUTH of Hispaniola and Cuba... Better news!

Keep praying...

 

[JDBlair]

tfc3rid - Definitely praying. But when you say "could affect" what does that mean? I won't freak out as long as I can still get on the ship and sail away. I know many have their hopes set on particular islands but I don't. So, when you say it could affect us, do you mean what islands we go to or our ability to make it to the ship at all? And are you a Hurricane Watcher for a profession??

 

[tfc3rid]

Not for a profession but I keep track of the models and runs and all... This morning this storm was projected to be in the southern bahamas toward florida by saturday as a Cat. 1 Hurricane... It might have had an impact on our departure...

Right now the latest models show it will move South of the DR... Let's hope it moves further South.

 

[ibela]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooo, maybe it'll wait until Sunday?

 

[JLSE50]

Pauline or anyone....do u all know the weight limit per bag ? I'm thinking 40-50 pounds ?
I'm having a difficult time keeping the number of bags down ! We have 6 maybe 7 right now for four people. Two large suitcases (26 or 28 inches). My girls are splitting one and my dh and I are splitting the other. Then we have 2-3 garment bags for all our dresses/skirts/suits. I'm going to try and squeeze things in to keep it to two.
Then we have one medium suitcase just for all of our shoes ! We each have 2-3 pairs (dress shoes/sandals). I think we're at 10 pairs now for four people. Then a smaller suitcase for towels/snorkels/masks. I can't see renting these on CC for $25 per person ($100 for the family) when we have our own. Then, lastly, one small to med sized toiletry bag. HELP ! Is this too much ? Now I'm not even counting our laptop and camcorder bag.

Tonya,
The paperwork I have is :
1) cruise docs DCL sent us (Bahamian docs)
2)birth certificates (we never had time to get passports)
3)driver's licenses
4) also the online check-in forms on the DCL site.

I'm also printing out our DIS meets and times.

Also....I want to wish a safe and happy trip to those that are leaving for FL in the next day or so. Here's to all of us having sweet tropical breeze dreams very soon !

You do not have to bring towels unless you want to. Towels are provided at the pools on the ship, for excursions and at Castaway Cay.
Jan

 

[JLSE50]

People in the main forum talk about stuff like candies and calling cards. Others say what they want most is praise on the comment cards (which I'm sure is true b/c they're always concerned with those comment cards promotions and stuff go by that).

I'm not bringing anything extra, if I really like them I'll just additional tip and they can buy whatever they want for themselves. Heck, I usually have a hard time buying gifts for family, so I'm not attempting to buy for strangers!

OK, good. We are on the same tack.
We give a larger tip when the service is special and I keep a running LIST of special actions that I write on the comment cards. If there is not enough space, I write in the margins

We have never skipped tipping anyone....
but ....
One cruise the Assistant Server was QUICK to refill the wine glasses but SLOW to fill the water glasses. We had told her up front that we were all big water drinkers.
and....
The Head Server for our section had promised a special dessert (made according to my recipe as had been done on a previous MAGIC cruise) and that it would be dessert for DH's birthday. Each night there was another excuse as to why it was not ready.
finally...
I spoke to the Restaurant Manager who had been our Head Server for the cruise where my recipe had been made. He got it taken care of the NEXT night!
so...
We took $2.50 out of the suggested tip for the Assistant Server and the Head Server to give a $5 to the Restaurant Manager--a non-tipped position. When he protested we explained why--he had made the special event happen. We also told him where we had gotten the $5. He agreed that a slight decrease in tip would be a better lesson for them than if they got nothing.

We also gave good comments on the comment card about our Server and recently learned that he is now a Head Server! We liked HIM--he did his job and the Assistant Server's job.

Jan

 

[MiaSRN62]

Just keepin' our Halloween Party list fresh and on the current page !
DIS Meet : MNSSHP Castle meet on Sept 28 @ 6:30 pm
MiaSRN62 (Maria and family)
Gr00vyChc (Pauline & family)
Zane_Anthony (Tonya and family)
LAWalz23 (Lori and parents)
Pooh667 (Susan and family)
SueRS
Tink*s_mama (Laura & Family)
grammy

Her b-day is Friday and we'll be at MK for the day. Anyone had any past experiences with a similar type of injury and can recommned which rides she shouldn't go on?

VayKayVicky......so sorry about your dd's arm ! Poor thing ! Will she be able to go in the water ?
Also...I see her birthday is Friday and you'll be in the MK that day. The list of us above will also be there. Any possibility of your joining us for a short "hello" before we go on our different ways to the Mickey's Not So Scary party ? Please consider joining us---we can all wish your dd a "happy birthday".
As for the rides....I see she is 12, so she probably likes the roller coasters ? I'd be concerned with rides like Space Mtn and Big Thunder Mtn Railroad because they sort of toss you around a bit. But just about anything else in the MK should be good.

Your kids are blessed with caring mothers!! You are great advocates.

Thanks for saying that Jan.
Also, thanks for the info about the towels. We're spoiled with our larger beach towels. We like to lay on them when we're on the beach. I'm a master at packing them though.....I roll them up really small/tight.

tfc3rid....thanks so much for the weather updates and links ! Keep 'em coming.
A couple of you mentioned our Eastern turning into a Western was your worst nightmare ? Really ? Not that I want it to happen, but we really liked our Western itinerary when we did it in 11/04. Like I said, I don't want it to happen, but my worst nightmare would be if the ship stayed out to sea during a hurricane. Or diverted to a less exotic port----like South Carolina as the Magic has done in the past. But going to Mexico or Grand Caymen (out of necessity) wouldn't be too shabby for us. Just wondering why a couple of you don't like the Western ?

Hope everyone's kids are feeling better !

 

[Gr00vyChc]

Thanks for the weather updates! I'll be looking at the western itinerary just in case.

Gr00vyChc

 

[JLSE50]

Alright everyone.... we are less than a week away, and I really need to get hopping. I am a newbie at all of this, so please bare with me. I have a few questions though.....

Why are some (all) of you bringing Lysol? Are the rooms musty or unclean or do you generally bring it on every trip you go on?

My dh doesn't want to get into any of the festivities. If we don't "do" formal night, will we still be allowed in the restuarant that evening? Will we be the only ones not in formal attire? The shows are done in the restuarants (Artist's Palette mainly what I'm interested in) only the first time we eat there, right? Do any of you skip the restuarants on any given night and just snack? We have the 2nd seating, and I just don't think the kiddos can make it that late. Would it be acceptable just to get them a burger or something and send them to their club and dh and I enjoy dinner with our friends and no kids? Dh also doesn't want to do any excursions? Will we be bored to tears after a few days? DH is also an early riser. Is there a place for him to get his coffee at say 5:00 am? Everything I've seen says things open at 7:00.

Dh really is a great guy. He just doesn't really get into dressing up and such. He is also worried about the cost of the excursions, (We pay off our cc every month, so if we can't afford it, we don't do it.) and things like boarding the dog, parking, etc, are costing us more than we had planned. No worries though. We're still looking forward to the cruise.

Thanks in advance.

FORMAL is interpreted differently by different people. For some men, shorts and a shirt with buttons IS formal. For others it's a Tux. For some women it's the gown they wore to a family wedding and for others it is a dress. Do what you like. If you think you would not be comfortable in the diningroom, you can eat at Topsiders in the buffet. No need to only snack. You could even order room service if you think that would be fun. Only cost there is to tip the delivery guy.

When you come right down to it, on Formal Night the most formally dressed folks are usually the dinner servers in their tuxedos.

DH should enjoy his vacation.

Some people bring Lysol and others bring clorox wipes to wipe off the phone, door knobs etc so they don't get that cruiser's flu. On the Disney ships you will see Cast Members wiping things down all the time--railings, elevator buttons, etc. You will be given a hand wipe on your way into the diningroom for each meal. They are SERIOUS about protecting our health so I don't bring Lysol or Clorox.

Some people bring a solid air freshener so that they have a special scent on the ship and when they get lonely for the cruise experience, they can open that same air freshener and get an olfactory sensory de-ja-vous.

Many kids eat a snack in the late afternoon, go to the show and then while parents are at dinner they are in the clubs. Do what works for your family. It is YOUR VACATION!

On Pirate Night there is usually a favor at the dinner table (we have gotten Pirate bandanas) and then a Pirate show on deck after dark which is great fun. It is a dance party at first but then a surprise appearance of some pirates .....oopse.... am I giving away a secret? Anyone not want to know? If so, those who want to know, send me a PM. It is fun for kids unless they are afraid of the dark. Does anyone remember if there are fireworks that night? That might be a good night to bring the kids to the diningroom and everyone WHO WANTS TO can be an immediate pirate with a bandana!

Jan

 

[JLSE50]

Where in NY are you? I work in NYC, by Grand Central.

NYC near Penn Station

We lived in Kings Park from 1970-1972. DH worked in Melville and I went to Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, does that count?
Jan