5 days to AKL!!
My mommy got in last night (to Boston from MN). DD got to show her the
Disney Cruise planning DVD for the first time. We've been talking about nothing else, of course!
I can't believe our shuttle leaves AKL at 12:30!! I thought we were supposed to BE at the port by 11 for sure! Although I suppose this is a good thing; we're going to the Arabian Nights dinner show Friday night, and won't be getting to bed until probably close to 11. DD's usual bedtime is 7:30, so she'll definitely need that extra sleep in the morning!!
We went on a vacation this past fourth of July weekend, where the parties didn't get started until after dark. As long as DD took a nap every afternoon, I let her stay up a few hours later so that she could catch the festivities, and it worked out really well. She re-adjusted to her normal sleep schedule as soon as we got home too. I signed us up for 2nd seating (8:30) so that she'll be awake for the shows before dinner, figuring that if she's too tired and can't stay up late we can at least eat at one of the self service places or get room service and eat at a more "normal" time. But hopefully we'll be able to schedule an afternoon nap each day so that she can enjoy the later parties and stuff like before.
I can't believe y'all are talking about Christmas decorations! despite the fact that I've been listening to holiday music on the radio for a couple of weeks already, the thought of decorating hasn't even crossed my mind!! Ok, the house is DEFINITELY not clean enough to put up a tree! Oh boy...
Speaking of packing... has anyone used those Space Bags that you roll the air out of? I bought some for stuff that doesn't matter if it gets wrinkled, like socks, underwear, bathing suits, pajamas, etc. I'm also planning to use them for all the dirty clothes on the way home.
My roommate uses the space bags to pack away bedding and stuff when not in use. They're pretty amazing! I, on the other hand, am much cheaper, and just use ziplocks. Basically, I pick up those giant ziplock bags and stuff them full of clothes. Then I sit on them and zipper them shut. It doesn't work quite as well as the space bag system, but it does work pretty darn well!
Well, I just cancelled our reef snorkeling excursion on GC. There's so much to do, we just can't decide! Early on, I was pretty gung ho about the excursions, and couldn't decide on one. But now I'm worried that if we do an excursion, we won't have time to do any other fun stuff at the ports of call! I'm DEFINITELY not cancelling the dolphin swim, but I think we're just going to do some tourist shopping and laze around seven mile beach on GC.
We also don't have any excursions booked on CC. One of the days we're going to spend at the family beach with DD, and the other day we're going to sign her into scuttle's cove and head to serenity bay for some cabana massages, then get back on the boat early to get ready for our Palo dinner.
Is there anyone else who decided to forego excursions? What are your alternate plans? I've never been on a cruise, never been to any of these places, and I know I can't see and do EVERYTHING, so for those of you who have been before, what are the "must-see / must-do" things at GC or Cozumel?
I checked out the ten-day forecasts. Cozumel is sunny and warm for the foreseeable future. High in the low sixties in Orlando, but otherwise sunny and calm. GC looks like it's getting a bunch of wind and rain (but of course it will be lovely while we're there!! Still, might be a good idea to pack a poncho...)
SIX MORE DAYS!!!!
I certainly hope we do bring the Magic back in one piece, or we're in big trouble.
You guys have a fabulous cruise as well! 
