Mama's on strike.  Taking Turkey Day off!!  We're from the greater Fort Hood area (ah...lovely Fort Hood, the Great Place!).  Anyone else out there taking Turkey Day off?  There's probably been a roll call already, but since we had to reschedule...I missed it.  This is my 2nd cruise on Carnival--my hubby's first. 

Hey, we are on the Ecstacy Nov 23... This mama had a housefull for Thanksgiving last year.... This year I am kicking back and letting someone else cook. It we will be Myself, My husband, and our two boys 10 and 9. This will be our second. Looking forward to spending Turkey day away from home....look for the kids in Tuxedos on Formal night.. There won't be many:) can't wait.

My boys are 9 (soon to be 10) and 7.  They aren't going on the cruise this year, but who knows...maybe next year.  I'd be curious to know how your boys liked it (especially the Camp Carnival stuff).  This is my second cruise, my husband's first!  Are you in TX?  Living in TX makes these cruises even more affordable for families--

That would have been cool if your boys would have been going... They would have had a blast and the boys would have enjoyed meeting them. I didn't feel comfortable leaving my boys behind, so we took them last time too. They loved it! The Ecstacy staff is top notch.. Our boys had a blast from the minute we boarded.. Once they went to the camp, they didn't want to leave. They do a great job with kids, and offer plenty for them to do.. They are the ones that wanted to go again... They picked the cruise over Disneyworld! We are all counting the days. We barely saw them during the day.. They made lots of friends... And asked to be at that camp. They even wanted to have lunch with the camp group.. We would be eating lunch and waving at the kids across the room... Too funny! They were at the camp most of the day.. And into the night.. Best of both worlds.. We had the kids close, but all our freedom to do adult things and have our own time together. Best family vacation ever.... We are from the Friendswood area.. Yeah, saving of airfare makes it nice. We stayed in an oceanview last time... This time we went with one of the suites... Looking forward to the extra space and quicker boarding. Hope to see ya on board!

My family's also coming on the Nov 23rd Turkey Boycott!

 Me -42, Wife, 42, Daughter 13, Son 10.  3 more weeks!

It's gonna be so much fun to Kick back and enjoy the holiday... No cookin or cleanin... Look forward to seeing everyone on board REAL SOON! It will be here before you know it! :)

wow!  It looks like bringing the kids along is more common than I thought.  The last cruise I went on (way back in 2000!!) didn't have many kids, then again it was in October.  It's a great idea to go a family cruise the week of Thanksgiving.  Maybe we might try it next year!!  Thanksgiving is never really a holiday for me (it's two days of cooking for a 20 minute meal!!), Black Friday is usually my holiday *tee hee.  But I am willing to give up my Black Friday for a cruise.  What land excursions have you all booked/planning to book?  We booked the Chitzen Itza land excursion for the first day (Progresso), but haven't book for Cozumel yet.  We are from the Fort Hood area.  I took a Galveston cruise last time as well.  I really like saving $$$ on airfare.  Just drive to Galveston, park the car, and ta-daaa--you're there! 

I have been reading that the Holiday cruises are generally loaded with kids... Either way, we never seem to be overrun or bothered by it... I don't hear them... You just don't see it, they are kept busy. I guess the ship is just big enough. Progresso is a sleepy fishing town... Not much there. We did the Corona Beach Break last time and loved it... We did the Progresso Resort Beach Break this time... We love the beach stuff and it works well with the kids...we also will still have time to shop some... My girlfriend just got back last week and she did the Merida Shopping excursion... Neat place lots of history... Very small she said.. But nice.. I thought about the one you are doing and almost booked it...we thought the kids would get bored and they didn't sound too interested. What we booked was reasonable... Includes our lunch and all drinks, beer, wine...etc..so that expense is all covered. As far as Cozumel... There are loads of places to shop and get great deals...last time we missed it because we were running to catch a bus and get back... Too rushed. We are planning on winging it unless something better comes up once we get on board... Last time we did Xcaret... Neat place, tons to see, but not worth the money.. Too much time was spent on Tender boating to and from the ship.. Plus the bus ride there and back..what showed to be 7 hours was 4 hours or so there in reality... I would love to see it again if I had a few days to spend..I have found the simple excursions to be the best ones for us... It's really just to stretch your legs on land.. There just isn't enough time at Port... Plus walking around and seeing the sights sounds like fun... Huge jewelry deals in Cozumel.... May make up for the day after Thanksgiving sales I miss here. I always go out early for the deals. It's ok... Like u I would gladly give it up for this! BTW, my name is Pattie... Good news! I found out that they reopened the dock for Carnival in Cozumel the end of Oct.. And now dock at shore. Hurricane Wilma took it out, but they just finished the new dock. That will save us alot of time getting on and off at Port.... Just a few more weeks.... So excited and looking forward... On my way to gets shoes and purse to go with my gown for formal night... So fun to dress up and enjoy... Can't wait for the midnight buffet... Yummy! See ya soon.. We have to meet! I

We'll be coming along as well. Myself, my wife and our 16 year old daughter. We're all looking forward to the cruise. This will be number 5 and the first in 3 years, and the first since we moved to Texas. It will be a change to drive 5 hours to get to the ship instead of having to fly 1,500 miles. 5 days of relaxation and not worrying about anything.

Hello again!  sorry didn't reply sooner.  I work on fort hood, so it's been a crazy week.  Never ever thought we'd have something like that here.  It's great to hear about the dock.  Can't believe we got 10 days to go!  They still do the midnight buffet?  That's something I missed last time--would love to go this time.  I am a little bummed about missing Black friday but it looks like the stores are trying to do it earlier (wow--just like Christmas!!).  Are your kids excited about the cruise?

OMG....I hope u were safely away from all the mess... It's a sad ordeal for sure. Glad u r safe. My prayers have been for the soldiers and families... I bet even more reason to get away for a week on the cruise. Yes midnight buffet is on! I will be there.. Last time there was no room in my belly for more food, but we did go the hour before the feast when they let you take pics... Something you must see for sure... Amazing what they do with food...kids are so very excited, but we all are counting the days. I am putting up my tree this weekend, so it will up and done when I get home and I can go into Xmas mode.... Can't wait... See ya soon... Is there a way to send you a private message with my room number so we can at least meet? Take care and hope to see you soon. :) whohooo! Almost time to be cruising.

We look forward to being onboard with you... It is so nice to cruise and not have to fly to get there.. We can't wait to get on board.... Welcome to Texas...only a few more days now:)