I'll be picking your brain so I can find our your secrets/advice. DH knows me too well and my physical abilities SO he is just being prepared for what he can handle. I'm thinking I need magical luggage
Noel.......
One more thing: When I signed up for these I was only vaguely aware of how they worked, and my mom had no idea so she didn't want to commit to anything. So when I listed our cabin I didn't include her. But just so she doesn't feel left out, if anyone from our group(s) has any extra candy or FEs that they want to include her (Phyllis, just turned 78 last week) it would be appreciated (but not expected at this late date). I ordered extra FEs for her, so she won't be completely shut out.
Does Mom have a name and room number?I am! I have no specific plans for any of the ports. Have some things I'd like to do, but no set schedule or anything. I actually had port adventures scheduled for several of the ports and then cancelled them when I decided to wing it.
Of course, I don't plan to pack until the morning I leave (depart my house around noon), so I'm obviously a little "different."
Unbelievably, my MIL loves to sneak up behind me and feel my waist with her hands to see how much weight I've gained or lost. Wait till she sees me after Barcelona's offerings, 2 weeks of Disney dinners, and lots of FAB's! Her expression will be priceless!
You are absolutely correct. Can't IMagine how you would get on any other way . . . although when we docked after the gangway came down in the microburst, we did exit through the freight door on deck 1.
Is anyone else "winging it" in the ports? I don't have any plans yet for St Marten, Tortola, Gibraltar or Castaway Cay. No excursions booked - haven't really researched St Marten or Tortola. I've been to Gibraltar 3 times so not sure what I'll do there. Maybe cross the border and go to Spain? Can we do that?I'm planning to pack my snorkel and mask though as i'm sure i'll wind up doing something beachy in the caribbean.
I'm just excited to get a break from all the day to day family responsibilities and just vegging for 2+ weeks!
I am at 21 lbs total including my handbag. 
Still probably over packed lol. Have an outfit for every night even though I packed Purex to do a small load. oh well. What a weight off my shoulders though! Got my little Croc flat iron today and it is amazing. Only weighs 8 ozs and is dual voltage. 
Wow you didn't need this extra hassle at the last moment, so sorry.
The only downside to this cruise is that we must leave our special needs son with the in-laws. They will take exemplary care of him, but their snide comments and wholly depressing conversations will take their toll on our son. Why is it that some people can only speak of illness, death, destruction, and despair? I could understand if they were facing a crisis but it's been this way for decades and decades. At least I'm learning how NOT to be when I become an in-law.
Unbelievably, my MIL loves to sneak up behind me and feel my waist with her hands to see how much weight I've gained or lost. Wait till she sees me after Barcelona's offerings, 2 weeks of Disney dinners, and lots of FAB's! Her expression will be priceless!
Is anyone else "winging it" in the ports? I don't have any plans yet for St Marten, Tortola, Gibraltar or Castaway Cay. No excursions booked - haven't really researched St Marten or Tortola. I've been to Gibraltar 3 times so not sure what I'll do there. Maybe cross the border and go to Spain? Can we do that?
I'm just excited to get a break from all the day to day family responsibilities and just vegging for 2+ weeks!
I finally did it! I packed and fit everything into a carry-on that meets the ungodly weights and measures of RyanAir.
Lucky girl!! Our Air Berlin leg only allows us one carry on at 17 pounds including a computer. Have to shove purse inside.
Thought I'd mention that last year I got my hair washed, styled and flat ironed before I got on the boat in Barcelona. It was 25 euros (it's like 80 euros on the boat) and it lasted 6 days. Her name was Fanni and she did a great job. I don't know if she is still there but the other stylists looked good too. The place was called Kinki and it was right off Las Ramblas on Pintor Fortuny 14. It's a block down the street from Le Meridien Hotel and across the street from Silken Ramblas Hotel. Kinki.es I think this may be the phone number +34 933 023 379 but I'm not real sure. Just thought I'd pass it on to all you Curly haired sisters out there.
I'm diving in Tortola but other than that.. I am winging it...Is anyone else "winging it" in the ports? I don't have any plans yet for St Marten, Tortola, Gibraltar or Castaway Cay. No excursions booked - haven't really researched St Marten or Tortola. I've been to Gibraltar 3 times so not sure what I'll do there. Maybe cross the border and go to Spain? Can we do that?
I'm just excited to get a break from all the day to day family responsibilities and just vegging for 2+ weeks!
That's what I was wondering! 
Okay, I didn't get my FEs done before like I planned but I want to get them all labeled and ready to go in the next day or 2. Couple things about the FEs and Candy Swap:
Candy Swap
I am one of those giving to everyone on the Candy Swap and when I first saw the 4 groups I was a little freaked out. I promptly ordered a 160 piece box of my favorite candy off Amazon (sorry everyone who likes chocolate, I didn't order anything chocolate because I was afraid it wouldn't travel well!).
Now I just looked closely at the list, and since we don't give to the same people more than 1x, I think there are 20 cabins participating and 40 adults and 9 kids? Am I doing something wrong? Just want to make sure. That actually works out okay because the candy is small so a couple pieces for everyone is appropriate.
For the Candy Swap I do not have cabin info for the following people, so PM if you have your cabin already (or when you get it):
3CanadiansLoveDisney
Jessica's mom
Pinkpug
Myself
kthomas618
heatherlovesmickey
Fish Extenders
On my group (Madeira) I don't have cabin numbers for the following people, so again, please PM me if/when you get it:
JessicasMom
PinkPug
Dgentrysim
Myself again!
Giraffe104
One more thing: When I signed up for these I was only vaguely aware of how they worked, and my mom had no idea so she didn't want to commit to anything. So when I listed our cabin I didn't include her. But just so she doesn't feel left out, if anyone from our group(s) has any extra candy or FEs that they want to include her (Phyllis, just turned 78 last week) it would be appreciated (but not expected at this late date). I ordered extra FEs for her, so she won't be completely shut out.
OK, that would make me crazy, too
Wow you didn't need this extra hassle at the last moment, so sorry.
The only downside to this cruise is that we must leave our special needs son with the in-laws. They will take exemplary care of him, but their snide comments and wholly depressing conversations will take their toll on our son. Why is it that some people can only speak of illness, death, destruction, and despair? I could understand if they were facing a crisis but it's been this way for decades and decades. At least I'm learning how NOT to be when I become an in-law.
Unbelievably, my MIL loves to sneak up behind me and feel my waist with her hands to see how much weight I've gained or lost. Wait till she sees me after Barcelona's offerings, 2 weeks of Disney dinners, and lots of FAB's! Her expression will be priceless!
Is anyone else "winging it" in the ports? I don't have any plans yet for St Marten, Tortola, Gibraltar or Castaway Cay. No excursions booked - haven't really researched St Marten or Tortola. I've been to Gibraltar 3 times so not sure what I'll do there. Maybe cross the border and go to Spain? Can we do that?
I'm just excited to get a break from all the day to day family responsibilities and just vegging for 2+ weeks!
winging it here too
nothing in gibraltar except morrisons
hop on hop off bus in madiera
actually not totally winging it i guess....
scuba diving in tortola
horse riding in st maarten
It sure is easier on vacation when it is straight. Anyway for those of you who like your curly hair in everyday life but want a treat for the cruise, check out that salon. 
I thought the same thing when it came to the FE lists. I know Claire volunteered to bring some extras, bless her. My solution would have been to hand a spare USB with the files to Guest Services and send people there to request a copy. (Reliving my teaching days: I used to send my middle schoolers to the office when they lost their homework/assignment/whatever, where they would have to apologize to the secretary for interrupting her and respectfully request a new copy of the work. The secretary was a very tall, imposing woman who didn't suffer fools lightly. They quickly learned to not lose their work.)
I could do flash drives if people do bring their computers as they are very cheap.
I could do that. I've got a list set up in Excel, with all the DISnames I could glean from various places, and cabin numbers where available. It's pretty current, as the FE participants have been keeping me posted on room changes.
The only thing about giving everyone editing privileges is they have to be careful not to accidentally edit or delete any one else's info. I'll keep up with this on my Excel list, too, just in case.
Noel, would you be able to download that for the Navigator, and would that be helpful to you? I think it would be a bad idea to try to keep two different lists (yours and a google list) - too confusing for everyone. If you'd like to see what I've got - maybe to cross-check what you have - let me know and I'll email it to you.
I would love it you would send it to me at nbirkner@yahoo.com and I will cross check and return a copy to you with a different file name.
We're not even telling my MIL that we're going on the cruise. Can't recall if I've ever told the sad tale of MIL and BIL here. I know I've told it on Passporter. Short version: Both of them are nuts, and not in a good way. BIL offered to take in MIL when FIL passed away, b/c she couldn't do anything for herself. Mind you, she's not infirm or incapacitated in any way; FIL just took care of everything so she never learned how to do anything. Dennis and I thought she should move in to a retirement community, where she'd meet some people and learn to take care of things herself. Well, she doesn't want to meet people or take care things herself! I can't even begin to understand this, as my parents - especially my mom - are the exact opposite.
Anyway, now BIL complains b/c he's "stuck" with MIL and can't do anything. News flash - he never did anything before she moved in with him, either. Martyr.
If they knew we were taking this cruise, all we'd here is, "you can go on a two week cruise but you can't come to see us." Hmm, let's see, two week cruise filled with fun, food, adventure, interesting people, FABs and RABs... or driving 14 hours to sit and watch reruns of "Two and a Half Men" and eat chicken soup without any chicken. (I'm not kidding. She takes the chicken out of the soup after making it.) Gee, it's so hard to decide.
My folks are letting us crash at their house the night before we leave, letting us leave the car there (where my dad and brother will likely give it a tune-up), taking us to the airport, picking us up at PC afterwards, and wishing us a wonderful time. Anyone still wondering why we would rather visit my family?
We're going to tell his other brother (the only mildly annoying one) about the trip - after we swear him to secrecy, and right before we board the plane to Barca.
I do the same thing! I've had mine since February but it now needs to be flat ironed to finish it off. I have an appt for Sept 2nd to freshen it up. It's been kinda nice just having it a bit wavy the last few weeks. My hair is very curly, coarse and thick so getting it straight without the brazilian is definitely for professionals only
Don't worry - she'll be covered
..If I never have curly hair again, it will be to soon as my hair is also very curly, coarse and thick!!
