Thanksgiving 2007!!!

[zeke11]

Thanks Willie -

We are staying overnight in Houston at the Marriott in the airport since we are arriving so late (7:30 PM). Then we'll drive to Galveston on Sunday morning.

Had a bit of a setback when I learned that we cannot purchase liquor in Texas on Sunday. We will have to bring wine and rum from home in our luggage - yikes.

Having to do without my beloved Corona (which I only drink on vacation!) in my stateroom will be difficult. I guess I'll just have to buy it at the bar, but that is just not the same as having a few bottles available!

Bummer, ain't it?

Thanks for the bon voyage!

Kris

 

[WMILLER86]

Kris,

The drive from the airport to Galveston may take about an hour, so allow time.
If you walk around the port area, there are some nice shops on the "Strand" right next to the port that are pretty neat to check out. I think they may still have the Christmas stuff still up.

You are arriving Saturday night? Because the liquor stores stay open til 9:00 PM, and the grocery stores will sell beer and wine til midnight.(But not hard liquor) There may be a liquor store in the airport. If not, there are lots of stores a short cab ride away.

Good sailing! And make sure to let us know how it went when you return!

Oh yes, and there are some very good sea food restaurants right by the port. Willie G's is the best!

 

[zeke11]

Thanks Willie!

I'll tell you what's different already -- not having all of you nice folks to chat with before the cruise to build up the excitement. Any my dh says that he will probably spend the whole cruise comparing it to Disney! I guess that can't be helped. I know it will be a different experience, but we were ready to try something new. And it sure will be sweet to have those balcony staterooms!

I think I spent more time researching the liquor thing than anything else this cruise - LOL! The airport has duty free liquor stores, of course you can only buy the liquor if you are flying out of the country with it.

I was actually emailing a pr person at the airport who was very helpful. He said that the hotel (where we're staying) has a shuttle which might be able to take us to a 24 hour Kroger store which is not far from the airport. I know that could be an option, but thinking hmmmm.... plane lands at 7:22, pick up luggage and check into hotel its not 8:30-ish. Do I feel like trekking to a grocery store??? I dunno....

But anyway, we'll take our wine in the luggage, I guess - securely wrapped. And a bottle of Captain Morgan (can't resist that 'set sail with Captain Morgan' as our last name is Morgan ) . Its only the Corona thing that is getting me down.

Well, we shall see how energetic (and desperate) I am by 8:30 PM.

Thanks for the info about the Strand. We'll have all day on Sunday when we disembark. What do you think about Johnson Space Center? Have you been there - think its a good place to see? If its a nice day we would probably be content to spend it in Galveston, but if not - alternative entertainment other than a MALL which is what my girls would opt for - would be needed!

ttyl,
Kris

 

[WMILLER86]

Kris,

Johnson Space Center is pretty neat. Will it be open Sunday?? Another option is Moody Gardens on Galveston. My girls love Moody. You can get more info from their website. Just do a search for Moody Gardens.

There is also an indoor water park on the island(Schlitterbahn) but I have not been to it yet.

What will you do with your luggage?

If you just have to do a mall, your girls will love the Galleria. It is enormous.

If I did not have so many honey do's Sunday, I would just come give you a lift. I am about an hour and 20 minutes from the airport. What type of transportation do you have lined up?

 

[zeke11]

Aw Willie -

thanks so much, but I wouldn't even let you if you could!

On the way to the port we have rented a 15-passenger van since my brother and wife & son will be trekking with us at that time.

On the way from the port back to Houston we have rented a minivan. That way we'll have somewhere to leave the luggage while we tour around Galveston or Houston.

Space Center is open on Sunday, so that's an option. I'm hoping for a nice day, though, to just hang out in Galveston. Sounds like a really pretty area with a lot to see and do.

Well, I'm just about packed - the weather is going to be great for flying tomorrow, thank goodness! Insane planner that I am, I already had some alternate ideas lined up in the event of O'Hare being closed due to snow.

Looking forward to this soooo much!

ttyl,
Kris

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I'll tell you what's different already -- not having all of you nice folks to chat with before the cruise to build up the excitement. Any my dh says that he will probably spend the whole cruise comparing it to Disney! I guess that can't be helped. I know it will be a different experience, but we were ready to try something new. And it sure will be sweet to have those balcony staterooms!

Kris, hi!

We sailed Carnival Glory in March 2005, and spent pretty much of day 1 comparing it to DCL. I heard the DCL horn, and almost cried! However, we still had a great time. I quickly soon realized nothing beats DCL, and a cruise is still a CRUISE! I will say though, Carnival's dining room food was my favorite, and the size of the ship..well, wait until you sail.

Please post a report here when you return. We all want to know about your trip!

Have a great time, and Happy New Year!

Priscilla

 

[5infam]

Ok - I finally finished reading all of the posts from the beginning, and I can now finally chime in. I didn't want to start with the DIS Cruise boards until 2007 started, but what the heck, we are only a few hours away (Happy New Year Everyone!!!).

This will be our first cruise as a family, and of course our first Disney Cruise. We are me (Frank) my DW, DS 15, DS 7 and DD 4 - who will all be one year older by the time we cruise for Thanksgiving. We booked the cruise back in March when the rates first came out and have 2 connecting CAT 10's for the 5 of us. We live in California, but we are DVC memebers at the Boardwalk and love WDW (and of course the original park here in CA). I just booked my flights, my Friday night hotel room, and my rental cars (before and after the cruise) - I know, I have a travel disease . Now, I just need to wait until November 16th to get on the plane . It was a lot of fun reading all your posts, and I am looking forward to more fun reading as a way to pass the time til we set sail.

Any advice for first time Disney cruisers is appreciated!!!

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Frank, welcome!

You're going to be sailing (you can probably already tell) with one fun (and crazy!) bunch here.

And while I'm here, I'd like to wish all of the DISboard Thanksgiving 2007 cruisers, a very Happy 2007! We look forward to sailing together again in the New Year.

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Happy New Year Turkeys!!!

Frank-welcome to these boards!! We also have a DS who will be 8 at the time of the cruise. He loves the kids activities and spends a lot of his time involved in the kids club programs.

For everyone who had asked about my dad--thanks!! He is doing better, but still has a long road ahead of him. He is back at home, but has a nurse and physical therapist visiting him daily. He cannot walk up the stairs in the house or drive his car. My sisters and I bring him groceries and visit daily to keep him company. His spirits are high though. As you can appreciate, he has no desire to ever go back on a Carnival cruise. I told him about Disney handing out wipes at every meal before entering and how everyone must wash their hands prior to entering the kids areas--he said Carnival did not do that at all. So even though he constantly was washing his hands--he is a retired dentist and has a habit of washing his hands a lot--those around him were not. His waiter and room steward both had the virus before my dad got infected.

Also--Chuck is trying to start his own law practice as of tomorrow--he left the firm he was with after almost 15 years. Hopefully, all will go well or we may not be able to sail this Thanksgiving. That would be very sad for us!!

We wish you all a very happy and healthy 2007!!

Lisa

 

[5infam]

Thanks for the welcome Mickeyhugger. Based on the pictures I have seen...I am expecting a Wild Bunch, which is fine by me. Lisa, I am glad to hear that you dad is doing better.

As I was reading through all of the posts, I kind of got lost of who is going on the cruise, as several people have popped in and several have had to pop off as their plans have changed. Does anyone have a list of how many DISers will be on the cruise at this point?

 

[Mickeyhugger]

As I was reading through all of the posts, I kind of got lost of who is going on the cruise, as several people have popped in and several have had to pop off as their plans have changed. Does anyone have a list of how many DISers will be on the cruise at this point?

Andrew (Tri-Circle-D) is pretty much the tab-keeper here. (He occasionally posts who has the most posts, so he'll probably soon be able to post the definites from the maybes.)

Lisa, I'm happy too, to read that your Dad is getting better. I'll hope and pray that you, Chuck and Mason will be able to sail too. Congratulations though, for Chuck starting his own practice! You must be very excited?

Priscilla

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Ok - I finally finished reading all of the posts from the beginning, and I can now finally chime in. I didn't want to start with the DIS Cruise boards until 2007 started, but what the heck, we are only a few hours away (Happy New Year Everyone!!!).

This will be our first cruise as a family, and of course our first Disney Cruise. We are me (Frank) my DW, DS 15, DS 7 and DD 4 - who will all be one year older by the time we cruise for Thanksgiving. We booked the cruise back in March when the rates first came out and have 2 connecting CAT 10's for the 5 of us. We live in California, but we are DVC memebers at the Boardwalk and love WDW (and of course the original park here in CA). I just booked my flights, my Friday night hotel room, and my rental cars (before and after the cruise) - I know, I have a travel disease . Now, I just need to wait until November 16th to get on the plane . It was a lot of fun reading all your posts, and I am looking forward to more fun reading as a way to pass the time til we set sail.

Any advice for first time Disney cruisers is appreciated!!!

Welcome Frank......The 2005 sailing I believe we had 33 staterooms and 133 Disers.....This sailing will be our 6th DCL sailing....

 

[5infam]

Welcome Frank......The 2005 sailing I believe we had 33 staterooms and 133 Disers.....This sailing will be our 6th DCL sailing....

Thanks for the Welcome, Lampskies!! Judging by the pictures I have seen it looks like you have thoroughly enjoyed each and every minute of your last 5 cruises It sounds like there were lots of DISers in 2005 (is that the group picture that Lisa has in her signature?) and hopefully there will be a lot in 2007.

For all you past Turkey Day Cruisers, my wife and I are concerned about the weather during this time of the year. I have seen a few photos and it looks like it is still good beach weather - is the water still warm? I have been to the Bahamas in the summer (very hot) and in Cancun in the spring time (pretty warm as well), but I was in Naples Florida the first part of November this past year and the weather was a touch humid (nice) but the water seemed colder than I expected. Just interested to hear your experiences. TIA

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Okay. Christmas and New Year's are behind us. I'm ready for some warm weather. I'm ready to put away heavy jackets, long-sleeves and long pants along with the Christmas decorations. It's 40 degrees here right now, and sooooooooo dark at 6pm. I'm ready for shorts, 75 degree weather and sun-light until 830pm. Is anyone else?

Priscilla

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Hello Turkeys, TCD is back in the house.

Priscilla, good job posting in my absence! You are nipping at my heels on the posting numbers! Oh, and if you want weather in the 70's, we are enjoying that here in Fla. all this week!

Frank- Welcome! We are also a family of 5. It is me (Andrew), my DW, and three DD's who will be 16, 12 and 12 as of cruise time. Also, don't count on me to keep track of anything other than the posting stats. My job is posting photos of Lampy and Dubbya. I have some good ones that I am saving for later.

Kris- If you check back here, be sure to give us a trip report. I hope that you had a great cruise, and that you didn't leave any Corona's on the ship (like you did on the Thanksgiving cruise).

Lisa- I am glad to hear your dad is doing better. I also began a new law practice a five years ago after being with a firm for 16 years out of law school. It is scary, but I know that you all will do great!

Let's all have a great 2007!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Good Morning Turkeys- Just logged in to check on the action, and there hasn't been any! Had to post anyway to pad my lead.

TCD

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Good Morning Turkeys- Just logged in to check on the action, and there hasn't been any! Had to post anyway to pad my lead.

TCD

How far behind am I, Andrew, in postings? You might have some competition here today. Rachel's back in school, and I'm trying to avoid taking down the Christmas tree and putting the last of the decorations away. (I keep putting it off, hoping if I close my eyes and wish it away, it will get done, LOL!) Why does it seem to take forever to 'undecorate?'

Willie, you must be really busy these days? You're usually in the lead.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

How far behind am I, Andrew, in postings? You might have some competition here today. Rachel's back in school, and I'm trying to avoid taking down the Christmas tree and putting the last of the decorations away. (I keep putting it off, hoping if I close my eyes and wish it away, it will get done, LOL!) Why does it seem to take forever to 'undecorate?'

Willie, you must be really busy these days? You're usually in the lead.

P-

Here is the official count (I will have one more after this post):

WMILLER86 142
LAMPSKIES 112
Tri-circle-D 87
Mickeyhugger 86
ICEMANPAD 82

You are right there! Bring it on!

We took down our tree last night. We still have a bunch more decorations to get put away. Our kids don't go back to school until Monday.

TCD

 

[LAMPSKIES]

Thanks for the Welcome, Lampskies!! Judging by the pictures I have seen it looks like you have thoroughly enjoyed each and every minute of your last 5 cruises It sounds like there were lots of DISers in 2005 (is that the group picture that Lisa has in her signature?) and hopefully there will be a lot in 2007.

For all you past Turkey Day Cruisers, my wife and I are concerned about the weather during this time of the year. I have seen a few photos and it looks like it is still good beach weather - is the water still warm? I have been to the Bahamas in the summer (very hot) and in Cancun in the spring time (pretty warm as well), but I was in Naples Florida the first part of November this past year and the weather was a touch humid (nice) but the water seemed colder than I expected. Just interested to hear your experiences. TIA

We sailed either Thanksgiving week or the week after in 02,03,04 and 05 and weather leaving home (Chicago burbs) is usually in the teens when we leave for the airport, so any weather is warm weather to us! LOL We usually had 1 REALLY windy day at sea and that day came with some waves...as a matter of fact I remember the pools overflowing on each sailing one day. But the Carribean was always 70's and 80's. east or West. CC's water was a little chilly when you first got in but once you got acclimated it was fine!

 

[LAMPSKIES]

I found this link in another post..............

http://maps.yahoo.com/broadband/#***=s&trf=1&lon=-77.537405&lat=26.07891&mag=3