August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[TheFatMansWife]

Originally Posted by Maza

welcome Bev..i will add you to the FE list!

thanks,we all enjoy joining in with the FE.
Your kids are the same age my two 14 and 12

[Maza]

Originally Posted by TheFatMansWife

thanks,we all enjoy joining in with the FE.
Your kids are the same age my two 14 and 12

lol...indeed...mine will be 13 and 15 by the time we set sail. There is a good number of teens and pre-teens in our group!:

[MrR]

Hi all.

Just thought I'd add my clan to this thread - there are five of us in all who'll be flying over from London to be on this cruise; Me, my DW, and our three DDs - 13, 15, and 19 (unusual names, I know).

It's our fourth time visiting Florida in five years, though we're resigned to the fact this'll be our last time for the foreseeable future - we're going to be paying to put our kids through university for most of the next decade. So, we're going out with a bang!

Before we even get to the cruise, we're doing eight nights at the beautiful Bahama Bay Resort in Kissimmee (it'll be our third time there - we went elsewhere last year, and it just didn't measure up), before three nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (our first time in a Disney resort).

To say we're excited about the cruise is an understatement. The only downside is booking so early (though not as early as some, I see) - it's difficult to concentrate on the work that's supposed to be paying for this trip!

[Maza]

welcome MrR.....more teenage girls to add to the mix...excellent
Have you cruised before?

[MrR]

Nope. This is our first cruise - we've not been with any cruise line before, so we're proper newbies.

And yes, we'll be bringing more than our fair share of teenage girls with us...

It's a gamble taking them anywhere these days, to be honest, but fingers crossed they'll have a great time.

[wayneg]

Welcome MrR and family.
I am sure you will all have a great time. Hope you all enjoy the Disney ships as much as we do.

Added you to the list of Red Hot Chili cruisers http://www.astersflorist.co.uk/ bottom link on left.
Hyperlinked you to London, let me know if you want anything more specific, a local webpage maybe. Also you said 5 DD's but only 3 ages, what ages for other 2? also if you want any of your names on.

Its gone a little quiet on here recently, hope everyone is well, I don't get too much time between Xmas and Easter, its the busiest 4 months of the year for a Florist. Valentines day next week unfortunately not as busy as it used to be with growers/importers overcharging independant florists but then discounting supermarkets.
Have a great weekend everyone.

[MrR]

D'oh! Apologies! I meant 3 DDs! I always think of us as a 5, and we've two family friends with us the week before the cruise (I'll edit it right away), which added to my confusion. Just dipping my toe into the DISboard waters, but more than happy to be added to the list.

I'm Paul, and my DW is Vicki.

Roll on August!

[wayneg]

Originally Posted by MrR

D'oh! Apologies! I meant 3 DDs! I always think of us as a 5, and we've two family friends with us the week before the cruise (I'll edit it right away), which added to my confusion. Just dipping my toe into the DISboard waters, but more than happy to be added to the list.

Roll on August!

No problem, I think 3 DD's would be hard enough to deal with without adding another 2. So glad we have a son.
When you planning on staying at Animal Kingdom lodge, before or after cruise? we have 2 nights after cruise we might stay there. Stayed there for 3 nights after cruise last August.
Can't believe so many UK cruisers on this cruise, in 6 cruises we have never met anyone onboard from UK yet, apart from cast members.

[Ski-and-Sea]

Hey all,

Welcome to everyone who has joined this thread recently.

I know I've been MIA these past couple of months. December was extremely busy and January turned out to be as well.

We've got a ski trip beginning next week and after that life should settle down more and I'll be posting more often.

Anyone thinking about booking their own excursion in Grand Cayman? We want to book our own snorkeling tour - thinking about going with Captain Marvin's as other on the DIS boards have used them.

We've booked a snorkeling excursion with Eagle Ray Divers in Cozumel. Have used them before and really looking forward to going with them again.

We'll be in Florida just for this cruise. Don't have the $$$ to do anything else. We'll fly in the night before and stay at the port.

[MrR]

Originally Posted by wayneg

No problem, I think 3 DD's would be hard enough to deal with without adding another 2. So glad we have a son.
When you planning on staying at Animal Kingdom lodge, before or after cruise? we have 2 nights after cruise we might stay there. Stayed there for 3 nights after cruise last August.
Can't believe so many UK cruisers on this cruise, in 6 cruises we have never met anyone onboard from UK yet, apart from cast members.

We're at AKL for the three nights before the cruise, with eight nights at Bahama Bay before that.. We've also got one night somewhere post-cruise (which we've yet to book... We'll most likely find somewhere near to the airport and have an easy day).

I'm also surprised by the number of UK cruisers. I guess the recession isn't biting everywhere, but we're counting our blessings, and under no illusion that this is our last big trip for a while...

[MrR]

EDIT: double post! Sorry.

[wayneg]

Originally Posted by MrR

I'm also surprised by the number of UK cruisers. I guess the recession isn't biting everywhere, but we're counting our blessings, and under no illusion that this is our last big trip for a while...

The recession is biting very hard here. We have been going to Florida/US
upto 4 times a year but this year its looking like the 1 trip. With it being our 20th Anniversary spending more on it than usual to compensate only going once.
I think many people already had parts of their holidays booked before the financial problems, like us many book non refundable flights so a big loss to cancel. It will be next few years the big problems start IMO.

[MrR]

Originally Posted by wayneg

The recession is biting very hard here. We have been going to Florida/US
upto 4 times a year but this year its looking like the 1 trip. With it being our 20th Anniversary spending more on it than usual to compensate only going once.
I think many people already had parts of their holidays booked before the financial problems, like us many book non refundable flights so a big loss to cancel. It will be next few years the big problems start IMO.

I think you're right.

I'm self-employed, and fortunate in that I've got work to last me until the end of the year (possibly the only time, in nearly 15 years of freelancing that I've been in such a position), but my industry has been hit like every other, and I worry about what next year will bring.

But hey - I could be hit by a bus tomorrow too, and for now, at least, there's a wonderful Disney cruise to look forward to!

[trimix]

Welcome Mr. R and family!

Originally Posted by Ski-and-Sea

Hey all,
We've got a ski trip beginning next week and after that life should settle down more and I'll be posting more often.

Anyone thinking about booking their own excursion in Grand Cayman? We want to book our own snorkeling tour - thinking about going with Captain Marvin's as other on the DIS boards have used them.

Where are you going skiing? I've never been skiing out east, but a long time ago I lived in Utah for a while, working at the Deer Valley ski resort and skiing the Wasatch as much as I could. I am working on getting back in shape for next winter - I live less than two hours south of Whistler, have for a decade, and still haven't gone skiing there! Unforgivable!

Regarding Grand Cayman, I am working on losing a lot of weight before our cruise. Assuming I meet my goal, I will be booking a dive trip independent of DCL's offerings - I will go with somebody I know will allow an experienced and advanced diver a bit more freedom than the ops that cater to cruise passengers generally allow.

[TheFatMansWife]

Hello All
Welcome Mr R and family

hows everyone been doing in the snow?? I hate it can't wait for sunshine