The MAGIC is Back!!! ~ WBTA 2014 ~ Come & join the fun!

[GatorMomInNC]

For those of you who have taken this cruise before...we are just off The Wonder 14 nt WBPC. We had just over 1700 passengers including only 181 children. Are TA passenger loads similar or is the cruise likely to near capacity? Also, school will just have started in the US.

We have always travelled with our kids during non- peak seasons because we live in a year-round school district. There are always lots of kids but not too many. But this summer - 22 days from today - we are going on a Canadian cruise on HAL -our first time on HAL. We are going with other family and this cruise worked with everyone's schedule and budget. But I have been worried about taking the kids on HAL since it is known for older clientele. I called a couple days ago to find out how many kids will be on this cruise - which takes place over 4th of July, mind you. 49 kids. This is on a ship about the size of the Magic/Wonder.

 

[PFlamingo]

That would be awesome

I don't like to sit in the sun either .... usually find a shady spot on Deck 9 or 10. I will sit in the sun only before 10am or after 5pm. Same reason as you Pat.

I use Neutragena SPF 110 on my face and SPF 50 everywhere else. I take no chances.

I played shuffleboard for the first time on WBTA 11 ... I am usually rubbish at anything which requires co-ordination, but we played just after the mixology class and I won !!!

You'll definitely have to come and play with us! I do most things better after a couple of drinks, so we'll have to have some pregame libations. And some postgame libations. And probably some during-game libations.

 

[karentan]

Count me in for the drunken shuffleboard no clue how to play but sure we probably won't care after the third or forth drink

 

[DanieD0909]

Any chance we can join the fun?

Me, DW and DS-to-be (due date of October 13th) have just booked to go on the WBTA!

Needless to say, we're a little excited and would love to speak to some other guys that are going as well.

How exciting to be traveling with your little one!! We have a little girl who will be almost two on the cruise!!

 

[norwegianwife]

How fun for you to have grandparents along, they can be helpful when you want some alone time, or in attending the adult areas at night as well as just enjoying their company of course

Yes!! And just found out a few minutes ago my little sister just booked as well!!! So we have 7078, 7080 and 7082!!

Gonna be so much fun with the whole family together!

 

[PFlamingo]

Count me in for the drunken shuffleboard no clue how to play but sure we probably won't care after the third or forth drink

We'll throw the rule book over the rail! I think we need t-shirts.

 

[scottishwee35]

We have totally different schooling systems, the first 2 weeks of Sept term are very important weeks in the UK system, I am sure some will miss though as vacation prices can be upto half the cost compared to August.
Some areas now charge upto £120 fine for term time absence, although its almost always cheaper to pay any fine and take cheaper vacations.

I am worried as I have not told school yet as in Scotland kids return to school begin around 17 August then off two weeks for this cruise... I am bit nervous to write a letter to school for my daughter as her school is quite strict...

This reminds me our our beloved "Bulova" (as in watch dog ), a rescued black-lab mix we had for 14 yrs. when our daughter was growing up. Greatest dog ever. Thanks for the memory...beautiful!
:.

Oh thank you, today was a beautiful day and I decided to take Peggy out for a walk near the beach. When I let her off and she ran away to beach and I shouted at her, she refused to listen me Finally, she came back with half soak and happy.... She is working dog and suppose respect me but she didn't do that to me but very good with my husband... Now she worn out after chasing the ball....

Scottishwee35

 

[poohluv2u]

We'll throw the rule book over the rail! I think we need t-shirts.

Hooray for shirts

 

[poohluv2u]

We have totally different schooling systems, the first 2 weeks of Sept term are very important weeks in the UK system, I am sure some will miss though as vacation prices can be upto half the cost compared to August.
Some areas now charge upto £120 fine for term time absence, although its almost always cheaper to pay any fine and take cheaper vacations.

I can't believe they would fine you ... it's school, not a juvenile detention center I'm sad for kids today, so much stress at such a young age

 

[wayneg]

I can't believe they would fine you ... it's school, not a juvenile detention center I'm sad for kids today, so much stress at such a young age

Thankfully we had a headteacher who could see our DS learned as much on his travels as he did sat in a classroom, official line was he was not allowed time off in term time, unofficially she said she would do exactly the same if she was in our shoes. We had a sensible, reasonable Head teacher, unfortunately others are not.

 

[pharmjenn]

Karen, We would also love to play shuffleboard. We kept talking about playing on our EBPC but never did.

Our DS will be 2 weeks into first grade. I believe the (private) school is strict but can't worry about it this far in advance. He hasn't even started kindergarten there yet!

 

[MedicGoofy]

Pat, I also have to stay out of the sun (mostly from medication) and deck 4 is our favorite hang out. Do you and Dennis play shuffle board? We have done 7 cruises and still haven't played, as no one is around to play with, and we have no idea how to play.

Oooohhhhh......I LOVE shuffle board! Used to play with my grandfather all the time when I visited them in Florida (it's such a Florida thing to do). I would love to get in on some games. While I haven't played in a while, hopefully I'll pick it right back up again

We have always travelled with our kids during non- peak seasons because we live in a year-round school district. There are always lots of kids but not too many. But this summer - 22 days from today - we are going on a Canadian cruise on HAL -our first time on HAL. We are going with other family and this cruise worked with everyone's schedule and budget. But I have been worried about taking the kids on HAL since it is known for older clientele. I called a couple days ago to find out how many kids will be on this cruise - which takes place over 4th of July, mind you. 49 kids. This is on a ship about the size of the Magic/Wonder.

I did a HAL cruise to Alaska a year ago. I sailed with my parents, and other than the kids, I was probably one of the younger people on the cruise. Having said that, it was a fantastic cruise. We NEVER saw kids. A lot of people were thinking it was near a kid free cruise. Until we did a debarking talk one night, and the cruise director told us there were just over 100 kids on board. Who knew!! Then, in talking to some parents, the kids LOVED the kids activities and the clubs. They seem to get a ton of attention because there is a better ration of kids to counsellors. While it isn't Disney, I'm sure your kids will have a fantastic time



I have to admit, I am a chair 'saver'. BUT, having said that, I only save a chair when I know the person I'm saving it for, is one their way. I would never deny someone using a spot when I was saving it for hours. That's just unfair and quite rude. Please don't hurt me

 

[twopeasonepod]

I have to admit, I am a chair 'saver'. BUT, having said that, I only save a chair when I know the person I'm saving it for, is one their way. I would never deny someone using a spot when I was saving it for hours. That's just unfair and quite rude. Please don't hurt me

Wait a sec, we're not supposed to save them even for a few minutes (e.g., someone getting drinks then bringing over, meeting from another part of the ship, etc.?) What about when kids are swimming? Are we supposed to relinquish the loungers while they're in the water? If so, then I'm a huge protocol violator. Oops!

 

[poohluv2u]

Karen, We would also love to play shuffleboard. We kept talking about playing on our EBPC but never did.

Our DS will be 2 weeks into first grade. I believe the (private) school is strict but can't worry about it this far in advance. He hasn't even started kindergarten there yet!

Oooohhhhh......I LOVE shuffle board! Used to play with my grandfather all the time when I visited them in Florida (it's such a Florida thing to do). I would love to get in on some games. While I haven't played in a while, hopefully I'll pick it right back up again

Sounds like we could have a shuffleboard team ... that would be so fun

 

[wayneg]

I posted this in UK Trip planning this morning but thought I would share here also incase anyone wants to read.
Matt wrote an article for the Orlando Sentinel and it was published in todays edition.
Sorry about the scary pic & they got his Surname wrong under the Pic, although correct just under that.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ism-newvoices-060813-20130607,0,4380339.story

 

[GatorMomInNC]

..




I did a HAL cruise to Alaska a year ago. I sailed with my parents, and other than the kids, I was probably one of the younger people on the cruise. Having said that, it was a fantastic cruise. We NEVER saw kids. A lot of people were thinking it was near a kid free cruise. Until we did a debarking talk one night, and the cruise director told us there were just over 100 kids on board. Who knew!! Then, in talking to some parents, the kids LOVED the kids activities and the clubs. They seem to get a ton of attention because there is a better ration of kids to counsellors. While it isn't Disney, I'm sure your kids will have a fantastic time
:

Thx, good to know!

 

[JessicasMom]

I posted this in UK Trip planning this morning but thought I would share here also incase anyone wants to read.
Matt wrote an article for the Orlando Sentinel and it was published in todays edition.
Sorry about the scary pic & they got his Surname wrong under the Pic, although correct just under that.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ism-newvoices-060813-20130607,0,4380339.story

Nicely done!

 

[geffric]

Pat, I also have to stay out of the sun (mostly from medication) and deck 4 is our favorite hang out. Do you and Dennis play shuffle board? We have done 7 cruises and still haven't played, as no one is around to play with, and we have no idea how to play.

Me three ( as far as staying out of the sun..I am the one with the BIG ugly sunscreen hat with a really big brim and halfway down my back. One can always find me in the shade.

I don't like to sit in the sun either .... usually find a shady spot on Deck 9 or 10. I will sit in the sun only before 10am or after 5pm. Same reason as you Pat.

I played shuffleboard for the first time on WBTA 11 ... I am usually rubbish at anything which requires co-ordination, but we played just after the mixology class and I won !!!

I use Neutragena SPF 110 on my face and SPF 50 everywhere else. I take no chances.



You'll definitely have to come and play with us! I do most things better after a couple of drinks, so we'll have to have some pregame libations. And some postgame libations. And probably some during-game libations.

Count me in for the drunken shuffleboard no clue how to play but sure we probably won't care after the third or forth drink

 

[lovingthemouse]

Great article Matthew - looks like you might have a future in journalism!! It was well written and purposeful.

 

[wayneg]

Great article Matthew - looks like you might have a future in journalism!! It was well written and purposeful.

His plans just now are a Journalism career but he is still only 18 and at least 2 years at University (1 year at Univerisity of New Hampshire and final year back here at Lancaster University) Who knows what will happen in those 2 years, his list of experience, achievements & qualifications is growing. He just loves writing. http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/achievements-and-experience/