All good to go!

So everything worked out fine with flights, I guess the email went to junk folder so they resent - simple! PHEW!! Olivia is nestled, all snug in her bed while visions of Disney princesses dance in her head! It could also be the Disney movie before bed, the Disney PJ's and blanket, and her Disney MP3 playing as she fell asleep. I gotta hand it to Disney, they sure got it right when it came to marketing!

We are all prepared for the 4 am wake-up call. That will allow us 1 hour get ready/travel time & 2.5 hours of in-airport time before the flight at 7:30 am. We always make sure we have at least that much time, you just never know what kind of crowds and line ups you may run in to, especially with such heavy security into the US. All the clothes to wear are laid out, the car seat, stroller and the suitcases are standing at the front door.

The following documents I have printed and kept in my carry-on:

Passports
Disney Cruise package information
Travel Insurance documents
Flight info. and tickets
Contact info of travel agency

We went with http://www.smallworldvacations.com/ as our travel agent for this trip. They typically have very similar pricing to any agency for a Disney cruise (not much flexibility on price during high season/holidays) BUT you get on-board cash vouchers for booking through them!! So when we board we already have a $300 voucher for any on-board purchases! We insured the trip through www.insuremytrip.com (best pricing) as well we have coverage a million different ways with our jobs, banks etc. so we are COVERED! That is one corner you never cut, we have used our travel insurance for claims many times!

Now every outlet in the room is full - powering up cell phones, cameras, DVD player, iPad etc. for the trip! That's Sam's big responsilibity - the electronics, I take care of the rest - funny how that works?

I made the necessary trip to the pharmacy and purchased every possible nausea/seasick medication and trick, including the pressure wrist bands and behind the ear tablets. Since it's our 1st cruise we gotta take all precautions just in case! I'm sure we will be fine on such a huge ship, but I was a Girl Guide so I learned to BE PREPARED! Hehe.

Well, we're off to sleep now, keep you posted throughout the trip with any fun, interesting or exciting updates! Does anyone know if there is cell phone service/internet on the ship? Hmmm...something to google I suppose ;) I'm pretty sure they've thought of everything on this boat.

Slight panic...

Okay, so I just attempted to check us in online, and all I have is the confirmation email saying I should have received another email with the tickets a while ago - AHHHHH!!! Okay, okay, stay calm Lisa. I sent the travel agent an email saying, call me ASAP! I'm sure all will be okay, but I'm so glad I'm checking! Flights to Orlando are easy enough to come by, but 24 hours before take off? That dang boat is NOT going to wait for us! OH the joys of travel, you learn new things every time!

While I stay by the phone awaiting the call, I will keep on packing! If we have to drive there today - WE WILL!! LOL. How many hours is a drive to Orlando anyways? 20? We've got time (I seriously hope I'm kidding). Keep you posted on the outcome!

Things to do 24-48 hours before the trip!

SO it's 2 days until we fly outta here, so there are a few things to be handled ahead of time. 1st we have to book our car to the airport! We always use the same limousine company (no stretched cars, just nice ones) which is only $15-20 more than a city taxi, but it's very important for the car seat. We have never brought a car seat on a trip yet (they are so big and have to go into large items check-in). Amhed (the driver) arrives early to our home, installs her seat and keeps it. He then installs it again before picking us up on schedule on the way home. Other advantages that come with the limo is lots of luggage space, water bottles and magazines, a nice car, and a scheduled pick up. He follows our flight right in (so if we are late he will know) and arrives at the proper post for pre-arranged cars right on time, every time. There is no line-ups or waits when we are tired and wanting to get home. Next I have to organize the cat/house sitter. We have someone come live-in while we are away to keep Ernie and Dorothy the fish happy and the house secured. It's also great in case there are any problems she can call us and let us know.

We are going to check-in online as soon as it's available. This helps to save time at the airport and also ensures that we get our seats together! We have had it happen more than once when we didn't check-in ahead of time and were not seated together. If that does happen, just ask at the gate to be put together, they will page the passengers assigned to sit with Olivia and they will GLADLY switch seats! Trust me, no one wants to sit beside a child or anywhere in vicinity of one. We often get bad looks when we take our seats (especially if we are going far and have to do business class because of my back injury) and I can see them mumbling to the spouses about her sitting so close to her. Thank goodness because she is such a frequent flyer, she is incredible on airplanes and often at the end of a flight someone that was seated close by will say, "WOW she was SO good, we hardly knew she was here". That always makes us smile :)

When we choose our seats we try to get seats near the front of the plane. That way we are 1st to get drinks, meals and get OFF the plane! So many people love the 1st row for children, but I think it has both advantages and disadvantages. The tray doesn't pop down from in front of you, it's in the arm rest and is smaller. There is nowhere to put your small bags/shoes (usually put under seat in front of you) and since there is no back pocket on the seat in front of you, you can't store books, DVDs and toys in there. Before take off we always fill that pocket to the brim so all her stuff is right in front of her.

So there's a few things to be done before we go, but it's all so exciting!

Lisa

Out come the suitcases again!

Today is the start of packing day. I always give at least 3-4 days of packing and preparations for a 1 week trip, in case there are things we will need to get before we leave. We each take a large suitcase now if it's a week long vacation or more. It's what we are allowed since Olivia has been in her own plane seat after she turned 2. As long as you have plans to get/use help with luggage (and get a cart) and it's paid for with your plane ticket, we figure if you're checking 1 bag you might as well check 3! This way saves us from trying to take 2, jamming them full, then after we've made a few purchases on the trip, trying to add those into the bag as well, and we end up paying extra for the over-weight bag! It also allows us to bring the extras like floatie toys, small dolls & books etc. (so we don't have to buy them there) AND we get to shop for local fun items - a favourite thing to do in the islands.

Sam & I each take a carry on for a week long trip, plus the stroller. Olivia often wants to bring a back pack but we have learned that at 3 years old, she won't want to carry it for long (or will be buckled into the stroller and can't carry it) so we leave it at home, packing her things in our bags. Here is our list for Olivia of carry-on essential items for a family trip south:

For Olivia:

- 1 sundress
- 1 nightgown
- 1 bathing suit
- 1 small blanket
- 1 3-oz bottle of sunblock
- Her small bag of medicines i.e. gravol, tylenol, benedryl, band-aids, etc. * Not liquid medicine if possible so no fuss with liquid volume issue, if no option then only small amount + ziplocks)
- A few snacks i.e. goldfish, frootogo bars, granola bars, cheese strings (preferrably no sugar to get her hyper)
- 2 pulll-ups (just in case we get stuck on a runway and can't use toliet)
- DVD player + DVD's & headphones (we prefer the old school on head style, she struggles with the ear bud types as they don't fit her small ears)
- Small toys & books *** The KEY to packing toys for a trip is NOVELTY! *** Toys she has either not seen in ages or new purchases (we sometimes stash away small gifts and save for travel times) & a trip to Dollarama is often required. I will blog all about those toys and things at a later time, as I have learned lots over the past years what may work and what may not work, ones that hold longest attention span etc.

The 1st 3 items on the list are in case our bags get lost or we arrive before check-in and want to go enjoy the sun and fun!

We buy her a squirty water bottle after we're through security, because after they turn 2 all drinks, cups, bottles with fluid will be confiscated, just like adults. Under 2 years, you are allowed more than 3 ozs of water to use to mix with formula, or milk/formula itself, jarred foods, liquid teething rings etc. These must be declared at security for inspection but are allowed.

Although the list seems long, they take up less than half of the space in a regulation size carry-on, other than the DVD player but that is WORTH IT! We could not survive all these travels without it! New DVD's that are $5 at Walmart or borrowing from a friend are always a big hit too, as they are novel & exciting.

SO, here sit the suitcases today that will slowly be filled over the next 3 days! Keep you posted!! Are my blog posts too long? I think so, I'll try to shorten them in the future - LOL. I just have so much to say!!

In the beginning...

Since meeting my husband Sam in 2003, I have caught a serious case of travel bug fever. We both have. In fact, since the birth of our daughter in June of 2007, she too has the bug (she must have been born with it). Olivia has been to 8 countries and even more trips to Canada/USA since her birth in June 2007. Can you believe her tiny baby passport photo picture is still accepted! Here is a list where we have taken our littlest travelbug:

Vancouver, British Columbia - Fall 2007
The Myan Riviera - Mexico - Winter 2008
Myrtle Beach, USA - Spring 2008
New York City, USA - Fall 2008
Panama City/Bocas Del Toro - Panama - Winter 2009
Paris, France - Summer 2009
Jersey, United Kingdom - Summer 2009
New York City, USA - Fall 2009
Negril, Jamaica - Winter 2010
Varadero, Cuba - Winter 2010
New York City, USA - Fall 2010

I will often reference back to these travels, as I have not yet blogged about them, but since we are off on a NEW adventure in a few days, I wanted to start writing! We are taking our 1st cruise ever with Olivia (Sam nor I have ever cruised before either), departing Thursday December 30th, 2010 for 7 nights in the Eastern Caribbean! 3 sleeps!!

I will mention that Sam and I also travel often on our own while leaving Olivia with grandparents and relatives over the years (which she adores). If the list above included ALL of my travels since 2007, it would also have:

New York City, USA - Spring, 2008
Las Vegas, USA- Fall, 2008
Antigua - Spring, 2009
Kenya/Maasai Mara, Africa - Fall, 2009
Los Angeles, USA - Fall 2010
Las Vegas, USA - Fall, 2010

Yup, we definitely have some sort of travel bug! That's 17 trips in 3.5 years! I can't wait to share some of my travel tricks when it comes to traveling with children, and report about all the fun adventures we will have as a family! Thanks for taking the time to read all about the 3 travelbugs!!