Turkey Day Gang 2009

[BomaGreg]

Laura:

We have not been too impressed with the new DCL website. We have not had any trouble getting logged in, but it seems a little hard to navigate. It could be that in time, I will like it more.

Wendy

We are all paid up too.... Now we are ready to roll

My wife was complaining about the same thing. It's really oddly laid out...

And, sadly, it doesn't look like we're going to be joining you guys in the end. We decided that two back-to-back cruises might be a little overboard, and that the "magic" might not hold up as well for the kids on a second run so close to the first. Instead, we opted for Disney season passes, and several three day weekends at the resorts to use them. All the while keeping an eye out for future cruise deals, of course.

So, to everyone going on the Thanksgiving cruise, have lots of fun!

 

[Morgey24]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone! Now that I have a cruise booked I am on (sometimes I think it's pathetic that all it takes is an upcoming cruise to make me happy, and the sound of the sail away theme to make me REALLY HAPPY).

I told DD that we were going and she said "Mom, why do you tell me this because now I am just going to be all excited and it is so far away." Maybe because I need to share the joy? I always say to myself, "ok, this time I won't tell her, I'll keep it a secret..." and then I open my "cruise" 3 ring binder and start making lists and start logging onto the DisBoard or CruiseCritic and my secret would be blown anyway...

As far as the new DCL site, I think it is really hard to navigate. In fact, I had to call web services to find the medical release form. (DEX is traveling with us -- maybe -- but he has 2 metal hips and walks like a 70 year old man even though he's closer to 40... and needs some help... like a kick in the pants.. oh, did I say that? sorry...) Anyhow I couldn't find the form and the search function was basically useless and the rep at DCL website says he'd wish they'd turn search off because it is useless.

Definitely some web bugs to be worked out.

Anyhow, please count us in on the FE. I've got to go back to the beginning of this thread and start reading. So excited I could

 

[Ima Princess]

Welcome Donna (and anyone else I missed!)

I logged in late last night to make reservations (REAS pkg, not a suite). To be honest, I was sort of wondering what everyone was talking about with the "new" DCL site. Since I had the old site bookmarked, I kept going to the old site!! Well, one day last week I did a search and "found" the new site. So, for those who prefer the old site, it's still up and running!

I used the new site to book and it did give me a little trouble. No trouble logging in, BUT after I had been in for a while (and thankfully had finished!) it logged me out! When I tried to log back in, it said "wait 20 mins and try again." Ugh! I hope that doesn't happen to anyone at the 90 day mark when it's crazy!! Since I was done I went to bed, so I don't know if it took 20 mins to get back in.

FYI, there were a couple of excursions that weren't available. I'm figuring they are old excursions that aren't offered anymore. I remember one was a walking tour -- maybe St Thomas? But I didn't pay close attention. ALSO, I checked the old site and it shows everything I booked last night. I was a little paranoid of booking on the old site, but I suppose I could do a test if anyone wants a definite answer of old vs. new.

Our (not-so-Disney) friends who are cruising with us are not yet PIF. I have a table for 2 at Palo. If I book a 2nd table of 2 for them (whenever they are PIF) will they be able to combine us into a table of 4 if I wait until embarkation day?? I am a little concerned that they might cancel (this is our 2nd attempt to cruise with them) and would rather not jeopardize my existing ressie by adding them to our existing table. Does that make sense? Perhaps I need to ask on the regular forum.

Wendy, I love your designs! Karen, thanks for organizing tshirts! Boma, sorry you won't be with us, but you'll enjoy the passes!

Paula & Stephanie -- DD & I are HP fans as well, but settled for seeing HP6 once so far. However, I am thinking of rescheduling our Jan FL trip to the summer so I can be sure HP @ Univ will be open!

I have a job interview Tues!! I've been home with my kids for 10 years, so this is my first interview in loooong time! Wish me luck!

Have a great week!

 

[missjudit]

Anyhow, please count us in on the FE. I've got to go back to the beginning of this thread and start reading. So excited I could

Welcome aboard. We, too have a 13 year old girl in our group. Also, good luck in reading all the pages, you will be up most of the night.
Judi

 

[missjudit]

Welcome Donna (and anyone else I missed!)

I logged in late last night to make reservations (REAS pkg, not a suite). To be honest, I was sort of wondering what everyone was talking about with the "new" DCL site. Since I had the old site bookmarked, I kept going to the old site!! Well, one day last week I did a search and "found" the new site. So, for those who prefer the old site, it's still up and running! !

I logged in last night, too and was never able to figure out how to modify my reservation by adding the REAS pkg., so I finally gave up. Decided to take my chances on our Palo reservations. And besides I saved some money.

I have a job interview Tues!! I've been home with my kids for 10 years, so this is my first interview in loooong time! Wish me luck!

Have a great week!

Good luck on your interview!
Judi

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Christine,

Good luck on the job interview! Hopefully either a wise husband-type or a mom who works outside the home will interview you. They tend to understand that being a SAHM is really the CEO of the family and KNOWS how to keep a ship going in the right direction!

Karen

 

[MommyMinnie]

Christine,

I had to return to work a few years ago too. It's really not so bad. I'm sure you will find a good fit.

I added Lynn/Lynnivey to the fish extender blog. Thanks for participating.

 

[lynnivey]

Thank you Patsy! I hope I can figure this thing out and put together a decent gift. I went through the homemade FE gift thread and those things were impressive!! I've bought the material to make the sucker, I just hope it looks good and doesn't fall apart

I may end up packing our bags really early since I normally would swap out all of our summer clothers for fall/winter some time in October. I realized I can't pack away shorts and bathing suits, so I might as well start a suitcase and hide it somewhere in the house. For those of you that have done the TDay cruise before, should I pack jackets/sweatshirts and take long pants for my boys? They only wore shorts on the June cruise.

Thanks and everyone have a good evening!!

Lynn

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Wendy,

That's perfect! Andrew's already in bed or else I'd show him right now. Expect a post from "The Duck Stops Here" (that's Andrew!).

Karen

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

I know a couple of the kids names so I can put things together for them. Some cruisers do not like to share this information ( WHICH IS FINE AND I WILL NOT ASK OR POST NAMES WITHOUT PERMISSION) I just will put some basic items up for Disers to download if they wish.

w

 

[Tinkerbell 99 Mom]

Karen:

I will post a few others also later this week..

We are going to try to have a family sit down and decide if we will book any tours. I think we may just hang out most of the week and relax. We did do the Dolphin Encounter the last time we were in St. John. We ferried over to Tortola. It was really great, but pricey...

W

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

We've been looking at excursions too and haven't seen much that makes us jump for joy (particularly since Andrew can't do the America's Cup thing). We will probably go to a beach in St. Thomas (Magen's Bay?) and I don't know in St. Maarten. If you have suggestions, I'm sure open to hearing them!

Karen

 

[sherreis]

Wendy -- love the mouse ears! Can I have one for Joey and Daniel (I'm finally saying their names)? Thanks

Christine - good luck on the job interview. I can only imagine how scary that can be - make sure you practice ahead of time.

I haven't really been thinking about excursions yet -- needed to wait until after the Bar Mitzvah this weekend to have anything else on my plate. Can anyone recommend any good ones? This is our first cruise EVER and the boys are 9 and 13 and not very adventurous. I did take a brief look at the excursion Lisa posted the other day. I like the idea I wouldn't need to pay for it until that day. Money is a bit tight now and I'll be getting a nice little bonus a couple weeks before the cruise - I referred one of my friends to my company.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hi all,

Sherri, great news about the bonus. Gotta love that!

Christine, just remember, you've already been the CEO of your household...any other job is a piece of cake in comparison!

We just got a DVC reservation at Wilderness Lodge Villas so that's where we're staying pre-cruise. Thanks to Jodie for helping me save some $$$ by suggesting this idea!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Karen

 

[ICEMANPAD]

Hello from Labadee...I have been posting comparison thread on live reports side.

Chuck

 

[pillow]

We've been looking at excursions too and haven't seen much that makes us jump for joy (particularly since Andrew can't do the America's Cup thing). We will probably go to a beach in St. Thomas (Magen's Bay?) and I don't know in St. Maarten. If you have suggestions, I'm sure open to hearing them!

Karen

Hey Karen. I think we're just gonna lounge on the beach all day. I was thinking Magens Bay as well. I found a beach on St. Maarten too, but I can't pull it off the top of my brain right now. Blue water, sand between my toes, and a frosty drink in hand - doesn't get any better than that!

Jodie

 

[pillow]

We just got a DVC reservation at Wilderness Lodge Villas so that's where we're staying pre-cruise.

Oh yay!! Glad that worked out!

J

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

Hey Karen. I think we're just gonna lounge on the beach all day. I was thinking Magens Bay as well. I found a beach on St. Maarten too, but I can't pull it off the top of my brain right now. Blue water, sand between my toes, and a frosty drink in hand - doesn't get any better than that!

Jodie

Yes, I am imagining it now.....RATS, can't quite get there between cell phone ringing, kids yelling, computer running and I have 3 projects due on Friday. This is gonna be a long week!

 

[MommyMinnie]

Hi everybody,

I'm checking in with a blog update. I've added Donna / Morgey 24. Unfortunately I had to subtract myself. We took a look at DD's HS schedule and there's no way she can miss the days for this. So we are going in April instead.

I'll be happy to keep adding to the FE list. Your cruise is close and the blog is pretty easy. Just be sure new members DM me or add to comments and the info will go right to my Email and I won't miss it.

There are a couple of ways I could use some help please. If someone would be sure to remind the new turkeys of the blog address that would be helpful.

Also, I have two FE gifts that are dated to this cruise. Any takers?