LOL! Kids are something else.

Hey Michelle T,funny that we are both sailin on the Pride sept 30 but my son is also named Tyler

Michele and Andrea 28 more days!!!!

Diana, How's your stress level?
You have a list organized with everything to bring? I usually bring that list along with me on the cruise and back track on it to make sure we bring everything home with us.

We lost our digital camera on Conquest a few years ago and we imagined it was back in Romania at a crew member's home. Five months later it showed up at our door.

Out of everything you could possibly lose, the camera, to me, is the most devastating. It holds every memory special to me and our family.

So, just run through your checklist before you close the door to leave for Pride and when you zip your luggage to come home.

Keep in mind, up to 10 days out, you can check www.weather.com and find out the forecast for the ports. I checked right up to the last morning.

Your son's can get a deck of Carnival playing cards if you ask for them at the Purser's Desk. Nice souvenir.

I'm excited for you. Have a cosmo at the martini bar for me, okay?

A'ndrea

Diana - 26 MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!! I'm doin a dance for ya!!!! I can't wait for that point. Although I'll be stressin on how much money I HAVEN'T saved at that point. I am doing pretty good so far. I put $25 each week into savings...and $50...ok $40 ...the weeks DH and I both get paid! I figured it would be the only way to save it up!!! You'll have to let me know if you ever did the write up on your friends trip. I know you are bouncin between boards too - I just haven't seen it!

Terry M - I think I remember your kids were fairly young??? Sorry - I haven't caught myself up on these boards lately. You know work just gets in the way! My Tyler is 3 1/2 and can't wait to go on the "big boat!" It has been a wonderful BRIBE in the world of potty training lately! My other son Kyle is 13. Is this your family's first cruise? From what A'ndrea has told me...we both made the right choice in choosing the Pride! The kids will have a wonderful time!

HELLLLLO A'ndrea!!! Hope your DH has made it back safely this time. No illnesses brought home for your dd's graduation in a few days. I can't get the idea in my head that Kyle is in 8th grade now...I can't imagine him graduating! Geez where does it all go?

We are 5 weeks out from applying for our passports. Waiting patiently...Can't wait to see them. The boy's pictures are so adorable. I can't wait to scan them so I can scrapbook it! I forgot before I turned them in!

I was reading elsewhere that the Pride was having engine problems this week. Late in to port this morning. I hope they get it all figured out. Makes me nervous...A'ndrea had problems on her trip too! YIKES!

We only have the one child he will be 6 when we sail.We have been on 4 other cruises ,2 to the mexican riviera and 2 to the carribean.We used the potty training thing with Tyler when we went to Disney Land 2 years ago.Told him he could not see Mickey unless he went like a big boy, was trained in a couple of days with very few accidents after that. 111 days to go, never going to save enough before hand so line of credit it is.

Also, we have our passports now but we applied for them back in late January with a trip booked to Puerto Vallarta for the first week of April. Well we got them 2 days after we were to leave on vacation.Was not a happy camper as we planned a group vacation with all our buds andafter doing all the leg work we had to stay home.

Hi Michele
He's home from Columbia, safe and sound and without illness! TA DA!

He brought us home some Juan Valdez Coffee. What a difference from Folgers. He thought Columbia was a beautiful country. He didn't get sick this time, thank God.

So, Pride has MORE engine problems, huh? Let's hope they figure it out by the time Diana boards.

Kyle in 8th grade, to Kyle a senior, will be in the blink of an eye. Just watch and see. The scariest part is, I saw her classmates the other evening at an event and I didn't recognize most of them. In my mind, time has stood still for 12 years.

My friend is cruising on RCCL in July and her passports haven't arrived yet. She's freaking out a little bit. She goes on-line to check the status often.

A'ndrea

Hi Michele, You scared me with the Pride engine problems. I hope they get it figured out! i don't want to have problems on my first cruise I am saving money but I don't plan on spending too much. I am not a knick knack person, so I don't see myself buying many souvineers. Otherwise, I am doing the daily countdown dance every morning! Work is very hectic right now, I am getting my kindergartners ready for promotion on the 26th and getting ready to meet my new kindergarters for the next school year this Wednesday. It is a madhouse. We are ending a year and starting a new one all at the same time! So your little one is excited about the big boat! I will take a picture of fun ship freddy for him. I haven't posted anything yet. But I will do a write up of mine for sure. So when in sept is your actual cruise?

Andrea, thanks for your continuous updates and reminders. Couldn't do it without all of your information! Have you been on the Paradise? I just booked a surprise cruise for my husbands birthay on it. He won't know until we get to the port. This one is in Sept.

Diana, I haven't been on the Paradise. It's the #1 rated ship in Carnival's fleet, according to Pride's Cruise Director. Pride is second, trying their hardest to surpass Paradise.

I would love, love, love to cruise on Paradise. It's a non-smoking ship and that's okay by me. Paradise was docked in the Long Beach port, disembarking, while we were being shuttled over to the San Pedro Terminal to leave on Pride. The disembarking passengers were telling us they loved Paradise. Breath of fresh air. Literally.

I think you made a great decision and your husband will love his birthday surprise.

A'ndrea

Andrea,
Thanks for the feedback. I can't wait to try her out!

Diana your killin me.... 3 CRUISES!!!! Wasn't it just a day or so ago you were here all "going on our first cruise can someone make a suggestion!" GEEZ! (ok I'm just a little jealous ) Not familiar with the Paradise - where does it go? I don't know much about what happened with the Pride this past cruise. Someone just mentioned engine problems and then someone posted they saw her coming into port late around 3pm I think they said.

A'ndrea I'm glad hubby is back with his smuggled Columbian I only can tell you how Starbucks tastes...Carmel Macchiato and all. That's about as close as I get to Mr. Valdez and his coffee. YUCK!

Terry - That is horrible about having to cancel your PV trip. I would have cried! I can't believe we are almost at the 100 day mark! Yahoooooo! Has your family decided on the excursions yet? Or is it a hang out and relax trip. Sounds like your are very familiar with the Mexican Riviera. I hope I have planned everything out well for my family and they enjoy it!

Yes three believe it or not. This is a three day cruise to Ensenada, Baja Mexico. I have been there hundreds of times but never cruised there. I really don't care about getting off the ship. I just wanted a nice bday present for my dh. Another couple is going with us. We are down to 25 days. I can't wait. I just met my new kindergartners today. They are so small and cute. I had 2 criers that wanted their mommys. What a day. time to surf the chat rooms for updated info.

I am trying to get all the info I can about Stone Island to see if I want to plan that or the El Cid in Mazatlan. That's basically the only port left I am really undecided about. I just keep thinking for 4 people the can burn soooo easily - we sure have planned ALL of the days out in the sun! I am going to try and book everything next month...so let me know what you think of the El Cid.

I can't imagine having to deal with the kids when they first get away from mom and dad. I know how it feels from this end...and again with Tyler who is only 2 yrs. away. We tried t-ball a couple weeks ago...which didn't work out so well. He cried all the way around the bases!!! 3 1/2 is just too young! But he did learn how to ride his bike this week! Good luck with your new class!

Michelle ,we stayed at the el cid for a week a few years ago. It is a nice place with a nice beach. Pool areas are good too. We never made it to stone island so thats where we are probably going .My wife wants to go to the aquarium to see the sea lion show ( figures my son would love it, she did )I work outside so come the end of september I will be deeply tanned so not worried about getting burnt. I do know how strong the sun is down there but never have had a problem. Anything you chose to do you will have fun. So much to do so little time.

Michele, At least you are trying new things with him. That is a great start. I loved my new kids, i am used to crying kids. It's a part of my job. I am a nurse, social worker, mommy, and teacher all rolled up into one. I wouldnt do anything else! I will definitely let you know about El Cid. Give me your room number so I can take a picture of it for you!!