Wonderful Panama Canal Sept 2014

[Va-NanaTink]

Only 10 more months until we sail

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Christmas is our favorite holiday of the year. I am always on the look out for something new to decorate the inside of our home for Christmas. We use to decorate the outside of the house as well. Our next door neighbor also decorates the outside of his home. One year we both were outside decorating our homes, when all of a sudden he brings out some new decorations, to one up me. So the next year I go out and buy some new ones to out do him. The next year he buys more to out do me. (I think ya'll can see where this is going.) This got to be where it was taking 2 or 3 days or more to decorate the outside of the house. Then the final straw. A few years ago, I had just started decorating our home. I came home from work one day. and he had an army, literally an ARMY, of people outside decorating his house. From family, to friends to even hiring people who decorate homes for the holidays. I saw I wasn't going to be able to keep up, so I thru in the towel. Now we just decorate the inside of our home. We get to enjoy all of the decorations better this way. And, I have to say not doing all of that decorating outside, I don't miss it in the least. That was allot of work. I found a couple of nice things online at the Disneystore we will be using this year to add to our collection.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating for Christmas. Dave, not so much, but he does it to make me happy! There aren't a lot of other houses that put up as much as we do, and we don't do all that much anymore outside....inside, my son says it looks like Christmas threw up in my house!
I bought new bows for my staircase, so excited! How funny is that? a pile of ribbon will make me very happy! LOL. I'm currently collecting the Disney Christmas Band...so far Minnie, Donald and Goofy are out...Daisy due this week and finally Mickey in two weeks! You have to buy something to get them at the lower price so I'm buying the Nutcracker stuffed musical Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy. I have Mickey and Minnie so far!

 

[davidls]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating for Christmas. Dave, not so much, but he does it to make me happy! There aren't a lot of other houses that put up as much as we do, and we don't do all that much anymore outside....inside, my son says it looks like Christmas threw up in my house!
I bought new bows for my staircase, so excited! How funny is that? a pile of ribbon will make me very happy! LOL. I'm currently collecting the Disney Christmas Band...so far Minnie, Donald and Goofy are out...Daisy due this week and finally Mickey in two weeks! You have to buy something to get them at the lower price so I'm buying the Nutcracker stuffed musical Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy. I have Mickey and Minnie so far!

The Disney Christmas Band sounds nice Stephanie. Where did you find it?

Your home on the inside sounds like ours. But we enjoy it and have fun decorating the house for the holidays. We like the Victorian Disney ornaments for the tree. And we go over to Downtown Disney to see what is new for the year. We are headed that way in another week. I'm going to check out the Disney Christmas Band.

 

[davidls]

Just got this email from our TA just a few minutes ago. Thought I would post it here for everyone to see.

Disney Cruise Line released part of their 2015 cruises


Clients who are Platinum or Gold Castaway Club Members, you can book your 2015 cruise beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. Bookings open for all Guests at 8:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, November 14, 2013.

JANUARY 2015 APRIL 2015 ONLY

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 night Bahamian

* Rates start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay

Dream

1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 night Bahamian

* Rates start at $600 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay, Sea Day

Dream

1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 night Eastern Caribbean

* Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas (with excursions to St John, Castaway Cay

Fantasy

1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 night Eastern Caribbean

* Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, San Juan, Castaway Cay

Fantasy

1/3, 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, 4/25

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 night Western Caribbean

Ports: Port Canaveral, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, Castaway Cay

* Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Magic

1/11*1, 1/25*1, 2/8*1, 2/22* 1, 3/8*1, 3/22*1, 4/5*1, 4/19* 1

*1 1/11/15, 1/25/15, 2/8/15, 2/22/15, 3/8/15, 3/22/15, 4/5/15, 4/19/15 = Sunday departure

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 night Western Caribbean

* Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

Magic

1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26

MIAMI, FL

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 night Bahamian

* Rates start at $352 per person for four-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Miami, Port Canaveral, Castaway, Nassau, Key West Nassau

Wonder

1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 night Caribbean

* Rates start at $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

Wonder

1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 night Western Caribbean

* Rates start at $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Miami, Grand Cayman, Castaway Cay

Wonder

1/9, 1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17

* All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom. Government taxes and fees, gratuities and Port Adventures are not included.

 

[Va-NanaTink]

The Disney Christmas Band sounds nice Stephanie. Where did you find it?

Your home on the inside sounds like ours. But we enjoy it and have fun decorating the house for the holidays. We like the Victorian Disney ornaments for the tree. And we go over to Downtown Disney to see what is new for the year. We are headed that way in another week. I'm going to check out the Disney Christmas Band.

HallMark, David. they are adorable!

http://www.hallmark.com/search/?searchTerm=Disney Wireless band

The instore offer is you get it for $12.99 if you make a purchase....so I've purchased one of the Nutcracker pieces.

Here are the stuffed Nutcracker pieces

http://www.hallmark.com/search/?searchTerm=Disney nutcracker

 

[kerstfan1]

Just got this email from our TA just a few minutes ago. Thought I would post it here for everyone to see.

Disney Cruise Line released part of their 2015 cruises

Clients who are Platinum or Gold Castaway Club Members, you can book your 2015 cruise beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. Bookings open for all Guests at 8:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, November 14, 2013.

JANUARY 2015 APRIL 2015 ONLY

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 night Bahamian

* Rates start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay

Dream

1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 night Bahamian

* Rates start at $600 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay, Sea Day

Dream

1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 night Eastern Caribbean

* Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas (with excursions to St John, Castaway Cay

Fantasy

1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/18

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 night Eastern Caribbean

* Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, San Juan, Castaway Cay

Fantasy

1/3, 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, 4/25

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 night Western Caribbean

Ports: Port Canaveral, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, Castaway Cay

* Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Magic

1/11*1, 1/25*1, 2/8*1, 2/22* 1, 3/8*1, 3/22*1, 4/5*1, 4/19* 1

*1 1/11/15, 1/25/15, 2/8/15, 2/22/15, 3/8/15, 3/22/15, 4/5/15, 4/19/15 = Sunday departure

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 night Western Caribbean

* Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Port Canaveral, Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

Magic

1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26

MIAMI, FL

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 night Bahamian

* Rates start at $352 per person for four-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Miami, Port Canaveral, Castaway, Nassau, Key West Nassau

Wonder

1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 night Caribbean

* Rates start at $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

Wonder

1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 night Western Caribbean

* Rates start at $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy.

Miami, Grand Cayman, Castaway Cay

Wonder

1/9, 1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17

* All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom. Government taxes and fees, gratuities and Port Adventures are not included.

Wish they would sail from Amsterdam

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Nope not me.................I don't talk too much. You can ask Donna, she'll tell you it is sometimes like pulling teeth to get me to say something. Like theotherday I was watchingTVandDonnacameuptometoaskifIwouldgiveherahandinthekitchen,wellIguessIjuststaredatherlikeIdidn'tevenhearwhatshewassaying. Thenagainanothertime,shetoldmetoshutupbutagainIdidn'thearhersoIjustkepttalkingandagainshetoldmetoshutup.Well,IgottotellyouifI'mtoldtoshutup,Ishutup.Youdon'thavetotellmetoshutuptwice.Ishutupwhentoldtoshutup!!!

So you see, I don't talk too much at home or on here!!!

I hope you are at least 1/2 as funny in person as you are when you post
You make me .

Goin to Mom's this weekend to being the creation of our FEs. The anticipation is 1/2 the fun.

 

[dsnydaddy]

Just got this email from our TA just a few minutes ago. Thought I would post it here for everyone to see. Disney Cruise Line released part of their 2015 cruises Clients who are Platinum or Gold Castaway Club Members, you can book your 2015 cruise beginning at 8:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. Bookings open for all Guests at 8:00 a.m. EST on Thursday, November 14, 2013. JANUARY 2015 APRIL 2015 ONLY --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 night Bahamian * Rates start at $450 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay Dream 1/2, 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 night Bahamian * Rates start at $600 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Port Canaveral, Nassau, Castaway Cay, Sea Day Dream 1/5, 1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 2/23, 3/2, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 night Eastern Caribbean * Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas (with excursions to St John, Castaway Cay Fantasy 1/10, 1/24, 2/7, 2/21, 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 night Eastern Caribbean * Rates start at $1,225 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, San Juan, Castaway Cay Fantasy 1/3, 1/17, 1/31, 2/14, 2/28, 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, 4/25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 night Western Caribbean Ports: Port Canaveral, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica, Castaway Cay * Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Magic 1/11*1, 1/25*1, 2/8*1, 2/22* 1, 3/8*1, 3/22*1, 4/5*1, 4/19* 1 *1 1/11/15, 1/25/15, 2/8/15, 2/22/15, 3/8/15, 3/22/15, 4/5/15, 4/19/15 = Sunday departure --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 night Western Caribbean * Rates start at $980 per person for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Port Canaveral, Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay Magic 1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26 MIAMI, FL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 night Bahamian * Rates start at $352 per person for four-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Miami, Port Canaveral, Castaway, Nassau, Key West Nassau Wonder 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/8, 4/22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 night Caribbean * Rates start at $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Ports: Miami, Cozumel, Castaway Cay Wonder 1/4, 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15, 3/29, 4/12, 4/26 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 night Western Caribbean * Rates start at $440 for five-night cruises for a standard inside stateroom, based on double occupancy. Miami, Grand Cayman, Castaway Cay Wonder 1/9, 1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17 * All pricing reflects a category 11C standard inside stateroom. Government taxes and fees, gratuities and Port Adventures are not included.

Yep just got the same myself today. Our 2015 cruise will be later in the year so it wasn't much help. Still, a lot of great info!

 

[davidls]

Yep just got the same myself today. Our 2015 cruise will be later in the year so it wasn't much help. Still, a lot of great info!

Same here with us Steve. Planning a cruise for either Sept. or Oct 2015. But a lot of good info like you said. (After looking at the Jan thru April offerings again, we might squeeze in a 5 day on the Magic. Have to look into this a little further.)

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Yep just got the same myself today. Our 2015 cruise will be later in the year so it wasn't much help. Still, a lot of great info!

Same here with us Steve. Planning a cruise for either Sept. or Oct 2015. But a lot of good info like you said. (After looking at the Jan thru April offerings again, we might squeeze in a 5 day on the Magic. Have to look into this a little further.)

Figuring the same thing here...and I'm gonna hold off and book on board in 24 days!

 

[dsnydaddy]

Same here with us Steve. Planning a cruise for either Sept. or Oct 2015. But a lot of good info like you said. (After looking at the Jan thru April offerings again, we might squeeze in a 5 day on the Magic. Have to look into this a little further.)

Cool. Maybe we'll sail again together. We're looking at late Oct.

 

[davidls]

Same here with us Steve. Planning a cruise for either Sept. or Oct 2015. But a lot of good info like you said. (After looking at the Jan thru April offerings again, we might squeeze in a 5 day on the Magic. Have to look into this a little further.)

My boo boo...................looks like if we would do a Magic in the Spring of 2015 it would be a 7 day. No 5 day cruises offered on the Magic. We want to sail on the Magic and check out all the new neat stuff. We'll get there soon.

 

[davidls]

Cool. Maybe we'll sail again together. We're looking at late Oct.

Hey, that would be neat. A mini reunion!!!

 

[dsnydaddy]

Hey, that would be neat. A mini reunion!!!

Not sure yet what will be offered, I was really wanting a Fantasy Western, but unsure if that will be available in Oct. I love the Eastern but most of the family likes the other.

 

[padalyn]

busy, busy!

So, we booked back to back cruises in Feb of 2015...still waiting for the rest of the year.

Our TA and we came to some thoughts....since the Magic has to go back to Europe by June 1 (contract obligation), and they seldom cross before May...there must be something happening between April and May! Plus there was some chatter about bringing her west again in August. Instead of Sept (this would allow families with kids to do the crossing) thus leaving the fall open for folliage cruises to Canada? We can only hope they are doing a couple of 7 day Baltic cruises in there somewhere.



One can only hope! We are so up for a Baltic cruise....(fingers being crossed)

 

[davidls]

Not sure yet what will be offered, I was really wanting a Fantasy Western, but unsure if that will be available in Oct. I love the Eastern but most of the family likes the other.

That's what we are looking at, a Western itinerary. Believe it or not we have yet to do the Western cruise. Don't know why, it seems like the Eastern is always there when we want to, or are able to cruise. But this time we plan on going on the Western for sure.

 

[davidls]

Figuring the same thing here...and I'm gonna hold off and book on board in 24 days!

Maybe you could book a cruise for Steve and I Stephanie while you are on board!!! Just Kidding. Lucky you, going in what is it 23 days now...........a little over 3 weeks? Just a little jealous here...........wish I was going too!!!

 

[davidls]

busy, busy!

So, we booked back to back cruises in Feb of 2015...still waiting for the rest of the year.

Our TA and we came to some thoughts....since the Magic has to go back to Europe by June 1 (contract obligation), and they seldom cross before May...there must be something happening between April and May! Plus there was some chatter about bringing her west again in August. Instead of Sept (this would allow families with kids to do the crossing) thus leaving the fall open for folliage cruises to Canada? We can only hope they are doing a couple of 7 day Baltic cruises in there somewhere.



One can only hope! We are so up for a Baltic cruise....(fingers being crossed)

Congratulations on your B2B on the Magic. Should be allot of fun!!!

 

[Va-NanaTink]

Maybe you could book a cruise for Steve and I Stephanie while you are on board!!! Just Kidding. Lucky you, going in what is it 23 days now...........a little over 3 weeks? Just a little jealous here...........wish I was going too!!!

Well, doesn't do me any good....a dummy cruise isn't going to help me and if they don't have the later ones released!
Any cruise I booked would have to be done by May 2015, according to their new rules! Those are all released, (except May) I don't plan on cruising then anyway. No more wonderful deals for me.

I have my cruise in January, but that doesn't help much!!
Doesn't DCL understand WHY people book dummys? Because they don't have the cruises laid out soon enough! I'm an uberplanner!

 

[davidls]

Well, doesn't do me any good....a dummy cruise isn't going to help me and if they don't have the later ones released!
Any cruise I booked would have to be done by May 2015, according to their new rules! Those are all released, (except May) I don't plan on cruising then anyway. No more wonderful deals for me.

I have my cruise in January, but that doesn't help much!!
Doesn't DCL understand WHY people book dummys? Because they don't have the cruises laid out soon enough! I'm an uberplanner!

I just saw this too Stephanie. I agree with you, that is one of the reasons we book dummy dates. They may lose some business because of this new policy. Below is their new policy.

*New onboard booking policy: Guests who book their next cruise while onboard will only have to pay a 10% deposit. When you book onboard, you will receive up to a $200 onboard credit per stateroom and a reduced deposit on sailings 7 nights or longer. Travel on these onboard bookings must be completed within 18 months to maintain these benefits. If you are unable to sail within this time period, the onboard booking benefits will be removed from the reservation.

Ok, ok, ok, ok, Stephanie.......................I looked it up in my Webster's Dictionary.........................but can't find the meaning of a uberplanner. Can you help out this poor ol' sole who doesn't understand, what a uberplanner is, does, or isn't or doesn't do? I'm sooooooo confused!!! (Hoping to increase my mental capacity!! If it's possible.......................DW says it's not!!!)