Deb T.
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 17, 1999
- Messages
- 3,531
Hi Everyone! 
This thread is waaaaaay too quiet for a fantastic cruise that's less than eight weeks away! I know I'm excited about this trip and am sure all of you are, too!
Right now, there are three families participating in the FE Exchange (eglista, Alexanders, and me). I hope we'll have some more join us. It really is a lot of fun! Remember, the deadline to join is Saturday, March 12.
Was everyone able to book excursions, spa treatments, Palo, and/or Remy? We're doing all the ports on our own. Only Key West is new to us - it's been on my bucket list for years.
We have a couple's massage booked and a Palo brunch (DH's favorite). We've often thought about booking a cabana on Serenity Bay, but with just the two of us, it doesn't seem worth the cost. We actually enjoy just pulling our beach chairs up to the shoreline and relaxing with our feet in the water. 
Most of all, we're looking forward to relaxing on the ship.... although there's always so much to do that we never really end up with much down time.
Just for fun, several years ago I compiled a Top Ten List of things you can do now to prepare for our cruise.
Those of you who've been on a Disney cruise before will know what I'm talking about...
10. Start serving all breakfasts and lunches "buffet" style.
9. Once a week, have everyone dress in full pirate gear for dinner. After dinner, dance around wildly while talking like a pirate. Arrrrrrrgh
8. Set your children's artwork out on display in the living room, add a row of folding chairs for everyone to sit on, serve a beverage, and then auction off each piece of artwork to the highest bidder.
7. Step outside and lean on a porch or deck railing, gaze wistfully out at your landscape, and comment on how amazing it is that the ocean is spread out before you for as far as you can see.
6. Start "checking" your children in and out of their playroom/bedrooms. If your children want to leave their room before you come to get them, tell them they must stand in the doorway and make beeper sounds until you arrive.
5. Draw the DCL logo on tall plastic cups and drink your favorite beverages out of them.
4. Gather everyone in front of the TV each night for the evening “show” (a Disney movie, of course)!
3. Every night, perform turn-down service for everyone. Place a tiny chocolate bar and a towel animal at the end of each bed and leave a schedule of the next day's activities.
2. Make your family line up outside the dining room to wait for dinner to begin. Before they are allowed to enter, make sure the table is set and their favorite drinks are poured and waiting for them. Give each family member a hand wipe to use before they enter. Oh, and be sure to have a 4-course dinner prepared and ready to serve!
And the number one thing to do to help your family prepare for your cruise:
1. Every morning, make a 3-tone chime noise, then make the following announcement in your best Australian (Cruise Director Brent) accent: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, in 2 minutes time the forward door will open for all guests to debark for today’s activities. The weather today is going to be (insert forecast) so be sure to take your (insert necessity, i.e. hat and sunglasses) when you disembark the house. And remember, 'all aboard' is at (insert curfew time). Have a magical day!”
Can't wait for our cruise!!!
This thread is waaaaaay too quiet for a fantastic cruise that's less than eight weeks away! I know I'm excited about this trip and am sure all of you are, too!
Right now, there are three families participating in the FE Exchange (eglista, Alexanders, and me). I hope we'll have some more join us. It really is a lot of fun! Remember, the deadline to join is Saturday, March 12.
Was everyone able to book excursions, spa treatments, Palo, and/or Remy? We're doing all the ports on our own. Only Key West is new to us - it's been on my bucket list for years.
We have a couple's massage booked and a Palo brunch (DH's favorite). We've often thought about booking a cabana on Serenity Bay, but with just the two of us, it doesn't seem worth the cost. We actually enjoy just pulling our beach chairs up to the shoreline and relaxing with our feet in the water. Most of all, we're looking forward to relaxing on the ship.... although there's always so much to do that we never really end up with much down time. Just for fun, several years ago I compiled a Top Ten List of things you can do now to prepare for our cruise.
Those of you who've been on a Disney cruise before will know what I'm talking about...10. Start serving all breakfasts and lunches "buffet" style.
9. Once a week, have everyone dress in full pirate gear for dinner. After dinner, dance around wildly while talking like a pirate. Arrrrrrrgh
8. Set your children's artwork out on display in the living room, add a row of folding chairs for everyone to sit on, serve a beverage, and then auction off each piece of artwork to the highest bidder.
7. Step outside and lean on a porch or deck railing, gaze wistfully out at your landscape, and comment on how amazing it is that the ocean is spread out before you for as far as you can see.
6. Start "checking" your children in and out of their playroom/bedrooms. If your children want to leave their room before you come to get them, tell them they must stand in the doorway and make beeper sounds until you arrive.
5. Draw the DCL logo on tall plastic cups and drink your favorite beverages out of them.
4. Gather everyone in front of the TV each night for the evening “show” (a Disney movie, of course)!
3. Every night, perform turn-down service for everyone. Place a tiny chocolate bar and a towel animal at the end of each bed and leave a schedule of the next day's activities.
2. Make your family line up outside the dining room to wait for dinner to begin. Before they are allowed to enter, make sure the table is set and their favorite drinks are poured and waiting for them. Give each family member a hand wipe to use before they enter. Oh, and be sure to have a 4-course dinner prepared and ready to serve!
And the number one thing to do to help your family prepare for your cruise:
1. Every morning, make a 3-tone chime noise, then make the following announcement in your best Australian (Cruise Director Brent) accent: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, in 2 minutes time the forward door will open for all guests to debark for today’s activities. The weather today is going to be (insert forecast) so be sure to take your (insert necessity, i.e. hat and sunglasses) when you disembark the house. And remember, 'all aboard' is at (insert curfew time). Have a magical day!”
Can't wait for our cruise!!!
Only 45 more days until we're onboard! 
The reason why you aren't able to send a PM yet is because you need to have made at least ten posts on the DIS Boards, first. Then, it always seems to take a few hours before you have full access to sending PM's. 
sucks I really wanted to participate. I'm sure my girls would've loved it
