Wild Turkeys and Dancing Banana Heads Cruise 11/25/06

[sptweedle]

I'm still ALIVE!!!




Seems like the hurricane has passed, it was certainly a category 4 but damage was minor.

Shell - if it makes you feel any better I took Mutt's advice and carried the torch for us men!!! That's a good guy you have there!

Alright, busy day at work, see ya

I had the funniest picture come to mind. We are all at the first DIS meet of the cruise, Steve comes up and introduces himself and his family, 30+ people look at Esther and say "Ahhh, the Angry Cuban Hurrican Esther." Steve will not enjoy the rest of his cruise!

Uhhh, yeah, I'm not sure this is a good idea, let's keep this between us...ok???

Steve

 

[cruisemutt]

Holy moly Steve...I never thought you'd take me seriously!!!!! Crossing the missus??? Thats like trying to cross Sammys (my lab-ra-dor) path with a piece of pizza....UNHEARD OF....thats an act of bravery that will give you the respect of about every man on this board---saaaaa-lute.

3Turners....welcome, welcome! Wow...this board is getting really busy! I love it! We're really gonna turn the Magic on its ear when we finally get there.

Glad everyones oke-doke from the storm,....I hope it passes quickly and quietly.
Enjoy the evenin folks...

 

[dkmjgal]

3 Turners and Family! We look forward to meeting you. My DS will be turning 8 in December...he's starting 2nd grade next week. Maybe he and Jackson can meet up at the kids club.

Glad you survived Steve

Seems Ernesto wasn't too horrible to you guys - thank goodness. We are getting the remnants or should I say possible the re-built version of Ernesto starting tomorrow and Saturday. It's looking like a Labor Day weekend washout here on the East Coast.

Have to go and get dinner on the table. See you all later!

Kelly

 

[TIGGER41681]

Good Evening ,
Today it finally stopped raining so me and DS were getting out of the house. Got my Formal Outfit for the cruise and other bathing suit!! Kohls love that store. this weekend is suppose to be pretty bad with rain and wind from the Tropical Storm Ernesto. For our cruise DH and I are flying down on Friday night to Orlando and staying in the Hyatt in the airport overnight. We just thought it would be easier with DS.

Woogal: Great Job on the list !! I have to remember to pack it so I know who everybody is!!


3 Turners: Aboard!! Glad you are joining us!!

Kathy: Loved the pictures and only if that was the real Johnny Depp !!!

Talk to you tomorrow!!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi everyone,
Yes Sarah ,those are her kids. Ana is 15 and Andy is 12.
She and Ana are often asked if they are sisters. Marie loves that when it happens, but Ana hates it!!!

Pat. I agree a group shot would be nice.

Steve, glad to hear your survived Hurricane Esther!
We ladies will have to school her in the art of getting even with husbands when we meet. Together we probably have well over 100 years of experience to share with her.

Kathy

 

[Dixielady908]

Evening fellow nana's.....well I was surpised that the posts seemed to have calmed down. Bill I agree, by November we will all be jumping off the walls.

Kathy great pictures.....these make me soooo excited to go. Your GD is so pretty...its true her mom and her look like sisters.

Well I have had a boaring day at work. I am caught up on my work and had nothing to do from 2-5pm. It's very hard trying to look busy when your not.

Any plans for the weekend? Not much here just going to my sisters on saturday for a bbq. and cruise talk I'm sure the rest of her company will not be happy who cares.....what else is there to talk about??!!

Well have to go and keep on eye on these crazy dogs . I just dont understand animals. You give them each a chew...the same kind and they still act like the other one has the best and tries to take it. what is up with that..

Later
Denise

 

[3Turners]

Welcome 3Turners! DW and I are just to the south of you in McDonough! Hope you are enjoying the rain today (boy, did we need it!).

Pat: I am glad to hear that Steve is able to move around. I am sure we can talk someone into taking a group picture of us!

Everyone Else: Have a wonderful Thursday!

Yes, I noticed there was a fellow Georigian on board! We've actually gotten rain just about every night this week so far - and I have been enjoying it, after this past month of 90-100 degree days.

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!

 

[3Turners]

3 Turners and Family! We look forward to meeting you. My DS will be turning 8 in December...he's starting 2nd grade next week. Maybe he and Jackson can meet up at the kids club.

Glad you survived Steve

Seems Ernesto wasn't too horrible to you guys - thank goodness. We are getting the remnants or should I say possible the re-built version of Ernesto starting tomorrow and Saturday. It's looking like a Labor Day weekend washout here on the East Coast.

Have to go and get dinner on the table. See you all later!

Kelly

Kelly,
Jackson just started 2nd grade a couple weeks ago.. will be 8 in March. He's looking forward to the kids club -- he loved it last cruise.

 

[Dixielady908]

Welcome 3 Turners.....as you can tell we are a quite and reserved group. NOT!!!!

Good night everyone.....

Denise

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Good morning all, well another friday has arrived!!!
I guess most people will have 3 days off this weekend.

No plans here, too many tourists in the area to go and do anything. Maybe treat the lawn for fire ants. If you have ever lived in florida you know how horriable they can be!!!
We are going to take Minnie in and give her a flea bath which is always fun to do tomarrow!!! I need my Mickey poncho on for that job!!!
Denise,
your dogs sound like my youngest 2 kids!!! if so, it is hopeless!!!
so just sit back and relax.


Have a great day all,
I am off to the bank, walmart, pharmacy, post office and then back home for housework.

Kathy

 

[dkmjgal]

Good Morning all you banana heads

Well lots of clouds and then rain today and tomorrow in NJ courtesy of Ernesto. Unfortunately I have a number of outdoor activities that are up in the air right now.

3Turners - I told my son about Jackson. He's looking forward to meeting him.

I've got a question for you guys about snorkeling. We've signed up for our first ever snorkeling trip. We'll be going to Trunk Bay at St. John. I googled the internet and I have to say the place looks AMAZING! I can't wait to see it. Anyway..since we've never snorkeled we don't have any gear. I know they provide it as part of the excursion, but should we consider bringing anything of our own? Has anyone had any experience with rented snorkel equipment?

I'm off to make some breakfast and get the kiddos ready. DS is going to Grandma's for the day and I'm taking DD to see her new school - Middle School!!! Somebody help me

Catch you later-
Kelly

 

[cruisemutt]

Mornin gang.... hope everyones weathering the weather well....
Kelly, Woo and I snorkeled for the first time at Castaway Cay last year. We found the rented stuff adequite. How it is on St. Johns, I dunno...I'm sure we have some other experienced folks here that can give you more insight but we really enjoyed it. Looking forward to do it again---this time I bought watershoes for the ocean....just got a lil paranoid about what I might be stepping on beneath the waves.

Hope ya'll (there, Wendy...see? I can talk southern too!--hope you're not still mad at me) have a wonderful day....LONG WEEKEND!!!

 

[TiggerKing]

I've got a question for you guys about snorkeling. We've signed up for our first ever snorkeling trip. We'll be going to Trunk Bay at St. John. I googled the internet and I have to say the place looks AMAZING! I can't wait to see it. Anyway..since we've never snorkeled we don't have any gear. I know they provide it as part of the excursion, but should we consider bringing anything of our own? Has anyone had any experience with rented snorkel equipment?

Kelly, there are two pieces of advice I can give you about snorkeling equipment on these excursions.

1) The only real complaint I have ever had is that one I used in Puerto Rico, the fins were very small, so I had to work a LOT harder than I do when I use my own equipment. This just means you may tire out a little bit quicker because you will have to work a little harder to move through the water.
2) Several people on the DIS don't like the idea of using a snorkel that has been in someone else's mouth. I trust that the companies used by DCL adequately clean their equipment before the next use. The company I used in Puerto Rico actually gave you a new (inexpensive) snorkel and allowed you to keep it when the trip was over.

If you have the resources to be able to purchase your own sets of equipment, that would be great (most places are closing them out right now), as long as you don't buy the $9 set at Wal-Mart. This is one area where you get what you pay for (this is the opinion of someone who has been a certified diver for over 25 years). But, you should be perfectly fine with the tour operator's equipment as well. DW and I will be brining our own equipment (once we buy her stuff), but since we don't have to fly, we don't quite deal with the same weight and space issues as most of youse guys (See Mutt, I can talk northern) .

I just wanted to be sure you saw both sides (no offense intended, Mutt).

 

[disneediva]

Mutt,
I could never be mad at you,and strong work on the southern drawl
well I will be off the boards for a few days heading out this evening to see LSU play and spend a few days with the DS in baton rouge.

wendy

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Just curious. Am I the only bad parent taking my kid out of school for this cruise or are there others like me Any 8 year old girls by chance????

Taking a child to explore new places, experience different cultures on the islands, meet people from all over the world? Miss 4 days of spelling words and math facts? Count me in as a bad parent too!

Our daughter, Meredith, turns 8 on October 29th. She'd love a friend to see in the clubs and around the ship!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

Hi 3 Turners!!!!!!!! Welcome to our little group

BTW - Dandy8 and fam and the Smiths (that's us ) are staying at the Residence the night before the cruise (we'll actually be there the Thurs and Fri night but you'all will likely be enjoying your turkey and stuffing and whatever other weirdo things you Southern folk throw in there at Thanksgiving. Think of us as we try and find a Chinese restaurant or something LOL. Anyway.....is anyone else staying over the night before at the Residence or in Cocoa Beach? Maybe we could get together for a drink or bite to eat on the Friday night? I think I remember one other person considering the Residence and I think a few a the Radisson??

Us Four Foxes are also at the Residence Inn the night before. Drinks and/or food always sound good to us! But, not sure what time we'll roll in....

 

[favoriteslave]

I'll chime in about the snorkel equipment. We went on excursion in Mexico and they provided the snorkel, fins and goggles. The equipment they provided was clean and neat, just a little old. I myself went and got all the equipment from a local scuba store. They made sure it fit correctly, that I knew how to use it and also let me come to their indoor pool and practice. So if you want to feel totally at ease in the water (which is really important), bring you own stuff. They sale backpacks that carry one set of fins, goggles and snorkel so that you can carry all of 'your' equipment with you. Remember this is just my humble opinion.

PLUS, an added bonus, when you have your own stuff you are more easily recognizable under water. I had yellow fins and when we would all go out, I was the only one with yellow fins and my Husband and child always knew where I was.

Have a great Friday everyone, we are headed to TenKiller this weekend where they have a snorkeling/scuba dive site. Should be interesting.

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

OK, so what's everyone doing on St. Thomas?

I've been to St. John in the past and want to take the family over there as it is so beautiful. We are always "do it on our own-ers" but I am not comfortable with the ferry schedule so we want to schedule an excursion. Anyone have any experience with the Disney excursions? They all seem to be in the same price range.

I haven't thought about St. Maarten yet but, due to the kiddies, have ruled out Orient Beach. DH was there back in his single days and said there is a part of the beach that family can go to but it's not guaranteed that you won't see a topless sunbather. We'd rather not have "that talk" with DS while on the boat! Anyone thinking of a Duck Tour?

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

The only downside on bringing your own snorkeling equipment is the weight. Some of the airlines only allow 50 pounds and those fins are heavy. Remember, all of your liquids have to be checked, not carried on, so planning your weight will be important.

 

[sptweedle]

Mornin' every one.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend. My wife's oldest daughter is getting married tomorrow (I'm my wife's second marriage, and of course, the ex's whole family is going to be there) so I'm at like DEFCON 4. The camera thing was a minor lapse in judgement, but I have learned to mind my own business and keep my mouth shut. But hey, at least I can take pictures for Esther, right?

Kathy- know what you mean about the ants, my neighbor and I keep running them back and forth between our yards, you just can't get rid of those things.

In regards to the snorkle gear. Wife and I went to Grand Cayman for our honeymoon and snorkled at a shipwreck. We did not bring our own stuff, and when we got on the boat to go out they reached into a bucket and started handing the gear out. I don't know if there was cleaning solution in the bucket or not and that was enough for me...I'm bringing my own!

Steve