Forums Closed
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As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
And a very special thank you to our Guides (moderators), past and present, who kept our forums a happy place to be. You are the glue that held everything together, and we are forever grateful to you. Thank you aliceinwdw, Caldercup, MrsM, WillCAD, Fortissimo, GingerJ, HiddenMickey, CRCrazy, Eeyoresmom, disneyknut, disneydani, Cam22, chezp, WDWfan, Luvsun, KMB733, rescuesk, OhToodles!, Colexis Mom, lfredsbo, HiddenMickey, DrDolphin, DopeyGirl, duck addict, Disneybine, PixieMichele, Sandra Bostwick, Eeyore Tattoo, DyanKJ130, Suzy Q'Disney, LilMarcieMouse, AllisonG, Belle*, Chrissi, Brant, DawnDenise, Crystalloubear, Disneymom9092, FanOfMickey, Goofy4Goofy, GoofyMom, Home4us123, iamgrumpy, ilovedisney247, Jennifer2003, Jenny Pooh, KrisLuvsDisney, Ladyt, Laughaholic88, LauraBelle Hime, Lilianna, LizardCop, Loobyoxlip, lukeandbrooksmom, marisag, michnash, MickeyMAC, OffKilter_Lynn, PamelaK, Poor_Eeyore, ripkensnana, RobDVC, SHEANA1226, Shell of the South, snoozin, Statelady01, Tara O'Hara, tigger22, Tink and Co., Tinkerbelz, WDWJAMBA, wdwlovers, Wendyismyname, whoSEZ, WildforWD, and WvuGrrrl. You made the magic.
We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
And we are no longer charging for the Live Guides. If you have a subscription, it's yours to keep for the lifetime of the Live Guides at no additional cost. The Live Guides will stay online, barring server issues and technical problems, for all of 2019.
That said, PassPorter is not going away. Most of the resources will remain online for as long as we can support them, and after that we will find ways to make whatever we can available. PassPorter means a great deal to us, and to many of you, and we will do our best to keep it alive in whatever way we can. Our server costs are high, and they'll need to come out of our pockets, so in the future you can expect some changes so we can bring those costs down.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your amazing support over the years. Without you, there's no way us little guys could have made something like this happen and given the "big guys" a run for their money. PassPorter was consistently the #3 guidebook after the Unofficial and Official guides, which was really unheard of for such a small company to do. We ROCKED it thanks to you and your support and love!
If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
Best wishes for a wonderful and magical new year!
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Welcome! We're happy you've found the PassPorter Community -- the friendliest place to plan your vacation to Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, and the world in general! You are now viewing the PassPorter Message Board Community as a guest, which gives you limited access. As our guest, feel free to browse our messages by selecting the forum you want to visit from the list below.
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If you think you've already joined, log in below now. If you don't remember your member name or password, please visit our Member Name and Password Recovery page. You are also welcome to contact us.
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11-18-2002, 11:37 AM
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#1
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Community Rank: Scout 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Norwegian Cruise Lines
Just found out that DH's dad is giving us a family cruise for Christmas. Its doesn't leave until February 15th and it goes to the Western Carribean (Cozumel, Belize, etc). I was wondering if anyone on the boards have cruised Norwegian before. We'll be taking Madeline who will only be 9 months old when we go, so we have to take into consideration her needs. Any help would be appreciated!
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11-18-2002, 02:05 PM
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#2
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
The itinerary does seem awesome. I have always wanted to see Cozumel and Belize, so that will be great. I just hope there are some excursions we can do with Madeline in tow.
The ship we're on is the Norwegian Sun. I've been checking out their website and it looks amazing. And its freestyle cruising where we get to eat when and where we want. That will be a huge plus with the baby.
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11-18-2002, 02:56 PM
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#3
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Community Rank: Legend 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Hey Sarah,
Click here for a neat site with some reviews specifically for your ship! I've not cruised freestyle but it sounds great with kids in tow!! Hope this helps out.
[ 11-18-2002, 03:00 PM: Message edited by: Dadtojbj ] |
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Sponsored links
 | | PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World
It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book!
Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95. |
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11-18-2002, 05:04 PM
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#4
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Thanks Steve! That's a great site!
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11-18-2002, 05:29 PM
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#5
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Community Rank: Trailblazer 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: jacksonville, fl usa
Concierge Level: 3
Posts: 5,790
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Sarah, unfortunately NCL's Kids Krew club begins for age 2, which is actually younger than Disney's age 3 requirement for clubs/activities. Unlike Disney though, NCL does not offer babysitting under 2 years old.
It sounds like a wonderful gift. Have a great cruise!
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11-18-2002, 05:39 PM
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#6
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Community Rank: Explorer 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Concierge Level: 6
Posts: 8,250
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Sarah,
I have not sailed on NCL before, but I have been on other cruises where I have seen people with young babies. The babies appeared to do fine. People always had them in tow at dinner and at the shows. The children were usually good, and often sleeping. If the child did start making a lot of fuss (especially in a show), one of the parents would just get up and take the baby outside for awhile. If you do take in some of the shows (and I suggest that you do), try to sit in aisle seats so that you can get in and out easily. The earlier dining hours tend to be more family oriented. People brought the babies around the pools, but typically the little ones in diapers couldn't go into the water. When Madeline needs to nap, take turns with your DH so that one of you can enjoy something else while she is sleeping. You will love cruising. Don't forget to bring your stroller. If Madeline uses one of those umbrella strollers, they are easy to pack and store. The stroller comes in handy on board as well as shore excursions. Don't forget to check with your pediatrician about sunscreen.
KathyL
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11-18-2002, 06:48 PM
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#7
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Great things to keep in mind Kathy. Madeline is generally very well behaved and adapts pretty quickly to new surroundings. And I hadn't thought about getting an umbrella stroller, that is a great idea since the strollers we do have are so bulky.
Thanks!
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11-18-2002, 07:54 PM
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#8
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Florida Big Bend
Posts: 17,133
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
What a lovely gift Sarah! Jean knows loads about cruising on lines other than DCL. She is always more than willing to share her wealth of knowledge!
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11-19-2002, 12:27 AM
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#9
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Haven't done NCL before, Sarah, but we have done the Western Caribbean on RCCL. It's a great itinerary and our favorite of the cruises we've been on!!
What a great FIL you have! I'm hopeful a NCL veteran will come along and give you some scoop - do you know the name of the ship you are sailing on?
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11-19-2002, 08:38 AM
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#10
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Sarah, I found another great site for you with some reviews that you might find interesting. It's called Cruise Critic - hope it helps out. |
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11-19-2002, 10:44 AM
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#11
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Steve, you are the best. I will check out that site too.
I have to say, I was a little hesitant about this trip at first. It will be the first time we'll be flying with Madeline. But I'm kind of getting excited about it now. Plus it gives me the extra incentive to lose the rest of my pregnancy weight and buy new clothes! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
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11-19-2002, 11:22 AM
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#12
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Florida Big Bend
Posts: 17,133
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Sarah there are some great suggestions over in the DCL forum you'd find helpful as a first time cruiser.
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*
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Sponsored links
| | PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World
It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book!
Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95. |
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11-19-2002, 11:26 AM
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#13
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Community Rank: Legend
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,365
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Cool! I hope the actual NCL reviews are helpful to you - the ship looks awesome, Sarah! We've seen lots of families with babies on our RCCL cruises, so you aren't alone!
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11-19-2002, 11:27 AM
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#14
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Community Rank: Jetsetter 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Worthington, Ohio
Posts: 2,257
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Sarah, if Madeline is usually pretty well-tempered, flying with her should not be a problem. By the time my son, Max, was 9 months old, he'd flown from Ohio to Arizona twice, California once, and New Jersey once with no trouble at all (he slept pretty much the whole flight each time). You may want to ask your pediatrician whether it's OK to give Madeline a decongestant to help keep her ears clear -- we gave Max Dimetapp before every flight his first few years as a precaution.
I second the idea to bring an umbrella stroller if Madeline is comfortable in one. Max is 4 now, and we used his stroller on our recent Disney cruise when he fell asleep one night at dinner (I brought it back from our cabin and we walked around with him for a little while exploring the shops).
I found Max much more "portable" as a baby than as a toddler, since he would just sleep whenever and wherever he needed to. Enjoy vacations like this now before they get more difficult!
Melissa
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11-19-2002, 01:22 PM
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#15
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Community Rank: Scout
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 4,695
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Re: Norwegian Cruise Lines
Steve, I've spent the whole morning on that web site! It is awesome. There is a whole forum on their boards for people cruising with their families. Tons of suggestions for someone cruising with a baby. I've started my list of things to remember already.
This will be our second cruise, the first was DCL of course. But this is the first time we're taking a baby a such a big vacation.
BTW, we're trying to squeeze in a little time at WDW before we head off to the cruise which departs from Miami! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I'll let you know if it works out.
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