Spring starts 1/30/2010. Punxsutawney Phil can kiss my...

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

boarding pass.

When that little rodent pokes his head out on Feb. 2nd we'll be pulling into St. Maarten.

And unlike the people around us, this cruise is sandwiched in the off-week of NFL playoffs. Now it will be with a bit of sadness that this year I won't be watching the Probowl at sea instead of not watching it at home since they moved it to the week before the Superbowl, but I will survive.

We're now 'officially' booked.

So who's sailing on this cruise? You're either with us, or against us.

There's going to be four of us (wife and two kids 5 and 1 at the time) and my two baby sitte...parents.
...and now my brother, sil and their 4 kids (boys 7,6 and girls 4 and 1)
...and now my cousin and his GF
...and now my SIL's niece
Edit in a Roll Call

Duckfan-in-Chicago- four of us (wife and two boys 5 and 1) my parents and now my brother, sil and their 4 kids (boys 7,6 and girls 4 and 1) , my cousin and his GF, my SIL's niece
JanDave-Cruising with me (Jan) is Carla, my DD's m-i-l.
Mousecruzer-Me, DH, and two princess cruisers ages 12 and 2.5...Also sailing will be one G-ma
Michellepooh-It will be me, DH, and our 2 boys who will be 5 and 1
becca-becca-Those going are me, DH, DS 12, DD 10, DD 6 ,My DSIL and DBIL and their three children DN 6, DN will turn 5 on the boat and DN 1, My DMIL and DFIL, My DM, A friend of our family
Virginia_Native - me, wife, daughter(3), MIL, FIL, brother-in-law and GF. Also aunt, uncle and 2 cousins (one 15)
Go CyclonesVince (dad)Wendy (mom) Brooke (4 at sailing)
allearsDH, DW and my DW's DGod Mother. We will also be on board with our good friend from Canada!
rhinosbiggestfanPARENTS-Goofy and Minnie KIDS-Me-rhinosbiggestfan 13, Stitch-12,Tinkerbell-7, Woody-5 ,Buzz-1
Paragd911my wife & I(plus my service dog)
Jack & MonicaMe -- Jack, DW -- Monica ,DD -- Disney Princess Reilly 4+ (going on 27), MIL-- Ingegerd (Ingrid)
Lucille1963Me - Niki -33 - but I turn 34 the day we set sail!, DH - Sean 40, DS - William 2 yo
Sandy At Sea Me, Sandy (54) and DH Dan (will be 46 on Jan. 30) Dan's brother Tony and his wife Cindy (late 40's) and their 18-year old son Bridger. And Dan and Tony's dad, Don (about 83).
Chris_Ronda_EvelynDH(37) ME(37 and DD(4 at the time, 5 in march)
acourtwdwAnnette (40 bday on cruise) and Amanda(Dsis) (41) from Lansing, MI.
jfahomeDH (Jeff) DW (April) and DD Elizabeth (age5)
indycruisin Joe (33), Shawna (32 & pregnant), & Elise (2.5)
Aimelyn1DH 35 Me 34 DS 4 2nd DS 1
fasttj2004Our son who is active duty in the Air Force will be joining us
cnewportMyself, my wife and two boys (9 and 5)
CaninoceDH, and two lovely princesses 9 & 6
IneedavacaDH (Davey), DW (Carey), DD 4 (Carmen), DD 6 (Olympia),cabin #2 DH (Rob), DW (Denise), DD 13 (Mackenzie), DD 9 (Samantha)

Fish Extenders committed:
So far we have 20 Cabins.
Adults:
22 Females
19 Males
Kids:
16 Girls aged 14,13,10,10,9,7,7,6 or 7,6,6,5,5,4,4,3,1
12 boys aged 15,12,12,5,5,5,4,2,1,1,1,1
Dogs:
1

Duckfan-in-Chicago- four of us (wife and two boys 5 and 1)
Chris_Ronda_EvelynDH(37) ME(37 and DD(4 at the time, 5 in march)
acourtwdwAnnette (40 bday on cruise) and Amanda(Dsis) (41) from Lansing, MI.
Michellepooh-It will be me, DH, and our 2 boys who will be 5 and 1
Lucille1963Me - Niki -33 - but I turn 34 the day we set sail!, DH - Sean 40, DS - William 2 yo
Paragd911my wife & I(plus my service dog)
jfahomeFE, but actually just for Elizabeth
Aimelyn1DH 35 Me 34 DS 4 2nd DS 1
rhinosbiggestfanPARENTS-Goofy and Minnie KIDS-Me-rhinosbiggestfan 14, Stitch-12,Tinkerbell-7, Woody-5 ,Buzz-1
becca-beccaMe, Rebecca, age 39,Husband, Anthony, age 37,Son, age 12; ALLERGIC TO NUTS,Daughter, age 10, Daughter, age 6
Mother-in-law, age 65,Father-in-law, age 63
Sister-in-law, age 36, Brother-in-law, age 35, Niece, age 7,Niece, age 4 but turns 5 on February 1!!, Niece, age 1
Mom, age 68 ,Family Friend, age 65, female
friends of ours:Mom is around 36-38,Dad is around 36-38, Daughter, age 10, Daughter, age 6-7
love2disneycruiseKevin - Dad, Cathy - Mom, Kyle - Age 15 ,Casey - Age 18
Arthur - Birthday Grandpa (Celebrating February 4th), Janet - Grandma, Katy - Age 3
Wayne - Adult , Amber - Adult , Chris - Adult , Sylvia - Adult
Ray - Great Grandpa, Winnie - Great Grandma
IneedavacaDH (Davey), DW (Carey), DD 4 (Carmen), DD 6 (Olympia)
DH (Rob), DW (Denise), DD 13 (Mackenzie), DD 9 (Samantha)

 

[JanDave]

We're with you!!!!

Cruising with me (Jan) is Carla, my DD's m-i-l. My DH is not allowed to go on girls' cruises....
This cruise will be DCL #13 for me! Carla and I cruised the Magic on 1-10-09, and the rebooking desk on deck 4 was calling out to us!

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Love the pics of your kids! My grandkids are drawn to our blinds, too.

Jan

 

[princess kates mum]

Hi

We are thinking about this cruise will do either Jan 30/10 eastern or Feb 27/10 eastern. Thinking we might get warmer weather at the end of Feb.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

We're with you!!!!

Cruising with me (Jan) is Carla, my DD's m-i-l. My DH is not allowed to go on girls' cruises....
This cruise will be DCL #13 for me! Carla and I cruised the Magic on 1-10-09, and the rebooking desk on deck 4 was calling out to us!

Jan

13 Disney cruises? This is our second. We did a three day on the Wonder in it's first season. Things have changed a lot since then from what I've read.

Hi

We are thinking about this cruise will do either Jan 30/10 eastern or Feb 27/10 eastern. Thinking we might get warmer weather at the end of Feb.

We've sailed on over a dozen cruises. Weather is never the major factor in our deciding between two weeks. Of course there is a chance that it may be a little cooler on the private islands to take part in everything they have to offer. Or it could be beautiful. But I've been on a few ships in the caribbean where they had to cancel their private island because it was too rough to tender in. I've also had ports canceled. On a cruise to Hawaii we were 'stuck' on the ship in Honolulu over night because of a storm instead of going to Maui. I've been on an Alaska cruise (the last one of the season) wearing shorts into every port where the people tell me the weeks prior were freezing and this was out of the ordinary warm. When you're only in a port for 6 hours a rainy day can destroy all plans for that day. You can't really predict these kinds of things. It will for sure be warm enough to wear shorts on the two port islands on either of these dates.

We picked the last week in Jan. because it's the longest and darkest month. We figure we'll be so busy with post Christmas/pre vacation stuff that it will fly by. It's a little mind trick that has worked for us before. Plus by the time we get home, we're almost at the middle of Feb, which is a short month anyway and then Winter is almost over.

From what I've seen, the average temps in Feb are a few degrees warmer than Jan so playing by that it will prob. be a little warmer. The other side of the coin is mid Feb to mid Apr. is spring break and the crowds on the ships will be a little different. I'd guess the last week in Feb is going to be priced slightly higher than the last week in Jan.

 

[JanDave]

On the 1-10-09 cruise, it was cooler than I expected, but the US was in a deep freeze, 40 degrees in Orlando one day while we were on our cruise. The cooler temps didn't bother us at all. It was better being on a cruise ship than being in Michigan!

Jan

 

[mousecruzer]

We will be sailing on this cruise and can't wait!
Me, DH, and two princess cruisers ages 12 and 2.5 at that time. This is our second cruise. We did a W. Caribbean in Feb. 2008 and fell in LOVE with the ship. Also sailing will be one G-ma to help babysit so we can FINALLY see the ADULT ONLY areas of the boat.

 

[JanDave]

Welcome Mousecruzer!!!

Where do you live in the Upper? I live near Lansing. We'll both love the weather in late Jan-early Feb, even if it's cooler than we expect.

Jan

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Welcome Mousecruzer!!!

Where do you live in the Upper? I live near Lansing. We'll both love the weather in late Jan-early Feb, even if it's cooler than we expect.

Jan

I know even if they hit record lows in the Carrib. it will be warmer there than here in Chicago.

Worse case I can always lay in a hammock in my winter jacket. It beats a sunny day at work.

 

[JanDave]

On our January 09 cruise, we were at Serenity Bay with jeans on and sweaters. But, it was sunny, windy, warmer than Michigan, and we were on vacation!

Jan

 

[Michellepooh]

Hi everyone! We will also be sailing on this cruise! We just took cruise #10 on the Magic last month (Western) and have already rebooked for next year. It will be me, DH, and our 2 boys who will be 5 and 1 (what a coincidence Duckfan-in-Chicago!).

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!

 

[JanDave]

Welcome Michelle and Family!!!

Can't wait for January 30 to arrive!!! Too many months to count.

Jan

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Hi everyone! We will also be sailing on this cruise! We just took cruise #10 on the Magic last month (Western) and have already rebooked for next year. It will be me, DH, and our 2 boys who will be 5 and 1 (what a coincidence Duckfan-in-Chicago!).

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!

I said two kids in the OP, but they're both boys too. The little one may also be possesed. We're running tests.

 

[becca-becca]

We are going on this cruise. We can't wait!

Those going are me, DH, DS 12, DD 10, DD 6

My DSIL and DBIL and their three children DN 6, DN will turn 5 on the boat and DN 1

My DMIL and DFIL

My DM

A friend of our family

So, that makes 14 for our total!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

We are going on this cruise. We can't wait!

Those going are me, DH, DS 12, DD 10, DD 6

My DSIL and DBIL and their three children DN 6, DN will turn 5 on the boat and DN 1

My DMIL and DFIL

My DM

A friend of our family

So, that makes 14 for our total!

Is that a AKV deal in your sig? It's cut off on my screen. Are you members? We're doing a pretty big group at WDW in Oct. We're staying at BLT. I don't know if I have the strength to do a big group on a cruise ship. I might be tempted to make some people walk the plank.

 

[JanDave]

Welome Becca-Becca and Family!!!!

Our group is growing!

By the way, Duck Fan, I love the title of our thread!


Jan

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

So....has anyone confirmed their dining when they booked?

We'd usually try for the early dinner, but I'm thinking with the two little kids I almost think we'd have more fun and they'd remember the shows more so if they're too tired for dinner or a little out of it, that's better than them snoozing during the later shows.

 

[JanDave]

Early seating for us.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Just some useful or useless info about being a Michigander.....

If you define Summer as three months of bad sledding...
If your definition of a small town is one that doesn't have a lake...
If your family breaks into violence during the UM-MSU game (any sport!)...
If snow tires come standard on all your cars...
If at least 50% of your relatives work for the auto industry...
If you have ever gotten frostbitten and sunburned in the same week...
If you can identify an Ohio accent...
If owning a Japanese car was a hanging offense in your home town...
If you learned to pilot a boat before the training wheels were off your bike...
If you think Alkaline batteries were named after a Tiger outfielder...
If you point at the palm of your right hand when telling people where you grew up...
If "Down South" to you means Toledo...
If you have any idea who Bob Ufer was...
If octopus and hockey go together as naturally as hot dogs and baseball...
If traveling coast to coast means going from Port Huron to Muskegon...
If the "Big Three" can mean either Ford, Chrysler and GM or Domino's, Little Caesar's and Hungry Howie's...
If a Big Mac is something you can drive across...
If you have no problem spelling Mackinac Island...
If you have as many Canadian coins in your pockets as American ones...
If your kid's baseball or softball games have been ever been snowed out..
If you bake with "soda" and drink "pop"...
If you know what a pastie is...
If you drive 80 mph on the highway and pass on the right...
If you think there are only TWO seasons, Hockey Season and Off-Season...
If you don't have a coughing fit from one sip of Vernor's...
If you know how to play Euchre...
If You classify your friends & relatives as "yoopers," "trolls," "Canadians," or "not from 'round here," (also classified as "Green Bay Fans," "Detroit Fans," "Toronto Fans," and "not from 'round here")...
If You know at least 2 yooper jokes (like the one about the 2 brothers from Ipsheming who run red lights)...
If Fudge and Bicycles remind you of your honeymoon...
If You can name all 5 of the Great Lakes, and point to their locations around your left and right hands...
If You don't cross picket lines...
If You used to think Deer Season was included as an official school holiday...
If You know that Pontiac and Cadillac are cities...
If You've been to Hell and to Paradise & back again...
If a Friday night out is taking your girlfriend shining for deer...
If you go "Up North" for every possible holiday...
If you have more fishing poles than teeth...
If you know that there are two ways to spell Mackinaw/Mackinac...and know when to use them...
If you look forward to your retirement "Up North" rather than Florida or Arizona...
If you know where the Cherry Capital of the World is...
If three out of four of your friends work for "The Big Three"...
If you know what "The Big Three" means...
If November 15 is a paid holiday from work...
If "thumb" is a geographical rather than an anatomical term...
If your fishing shanty is better than your house...

 

[becca-becca]

The Michigan jokes were great. I will have to share them with my mother. She grew up in Kalamazoo and I have been there many, many times.

Yes, we are AKV members. I will have to try to fix my signature.

In the past, our groups have been pretty good about knowing when to split off from each other. My kids will have 3 of their 4 grandparents on board and everyone gets along very well.

We are really looking forward to it. We are getting our kids' passports soon. I am going to try to get their passport pictures taken this weekend.

We can't wait!!