5/24/03

[newhampshire4]

Just had to switch our cruise to the May 24, 2003 Western cruise... but can't find any threads for this date. I see several names on the list, and know that this cruise is filling quickly.... anyone?
:wave:

[newhampshire4]

Soooooooooo..... We are the only ones on this cruise!!!!!! ?!??!:smooth:

[donnabres]

We'll be the ones with the sad faces getting off as you get on. Hope you have fun planning your cruise. I always find that one of the most enjoyable part of the trip is the planning.

[digitalmom]

We are, as long as the kids behave(just kidding). The kids don't know we are doing this for sure, although I think they may be suspicious. It will be me, Michael,(age 15 by then) and Christopher(age 13 by then). It will be the day after they get out of school. My husband is staying home. I suppose this could be our thread. When I talked to Disney in April I think they said this cruise was about 1/4 to 1/3 full. See you later.
Suzanne

[newhampshire4]

This will be our second cruise... the first time we did the Eastern 4/2001. Hoping we make it to Castaway Cay this time!!! We will have our 2 dd's with us (who will be 14 & almost 12 at the time of sailing). They enjoyed meeting a few kids their ages online prior to sailing. Hopefully other cruisers for this week will join in as we count down the days (well, months, but days sounds more positive!!)

[digitalmom]

Hi,
This will be our 3rd cruise. We did Disney Magic March 30, 2001 and we didn't make it to Castaway Cay either, hopefully this time. This past Spring Break(week of April 6th) we went on the Carnival Pride, again doing the Eastern Caribbean. Hopefully I am not bad luck for private islands as on the Pride we couldn't tender over to Half Moon Cay due to the high seas and winds. I know for sure that Christopher will be happy if he can "meet" other kids his age before the cruise. He has tried doing that for both cruises we have been on but with very little luck. See you later.
Suzanne

[digitalmom]

Weel I am trying to check the prices every so often to see how they go up and I am glad that I have this cruise already booked and a deposit down as it has already been going up in price. In case you can't tell I am looking forward to this cruise. I watched the video today that I got from Disney. I am going to use it as part of the way that I tell the kids about the cruise. Not sure when I will tell them, I am thinking Christmas. See you later.

[digitalmom]

Ok just want to check out the changes to my signature.
Suzanne

[RAC]

Hi digitalmom,
We were scheduled for the Magic on May 24, 2003 then we changed our minds and decided to give the Pride a try. This past May was our second Disney Cruise. Can you tell me what you thought about the Pride. We have a 6 year old, did you have a child in Camp Carnival?
Any info would be great!
RAC :)
Randi

[newhampshire4]

When I switched to this cruise a few weeks ago, there were slim pickings of Cat. 6 rooms..... didn't get where I had hoped, but at least we got Starboard this time!
We didn't make it to CC last time, as we were on the Magic when we were broke down in St Thomas for an extra 9 hours or so.... so HAVE to get there this time :Pinkbounc

[digitalmom]

RAC,
I will try this again, I responded to you earlier when I saw your post but somehow this thing logged me out and so my response didn't go thru. I went this past April with my 14 year old and my 12 year old, both boys. We all had a good time but the kids out of the blue said that they preferred Disney over the Pride. The Pride is really quite a beautiful ship, very different from the Magic. The food was good as was the service. One thing Carnival did differently that I didn't like was drinks at dinner other than milk, water or coffee/tea. They had a separate bar waitress for mixed drinks, wine, beer, even pop(Coke, Pepsi, etc, I don't remember which although I think it was Coke products). I don't know if it was because there was no adult male with us(my husband stayed home) or what but we were basically ignored by the bar waitress. Our regular server and his assistant were great, keeping our water glasses full all the time. I did not go to David's since my husband was not there with us. Our room person was good, being very patient with kids who wanted to sleep in every day. We had towel animals every night except for the first and last. My 12 year old did go to Camp Carnival. Not many kids his age seem to participate but he still had fun. I think that the bulk of the kids for spring break/Easter break were the week before. For the younger ages Camp Carnival must have been doing something right as I knew someone from work who was on the same cruise(single guy, no kids) who said that he was hardly bothered by kids at all.

[digitalmom]

RAC,
More as I didn't want to lose all of what I wrote again. There was definitely an older crowd on the Pride, despite it being a "spring break" week. When I say older, I mean people in their 70's and 80's. From what I have heard in the past Carnival had quite a party image but seems to be trying to get away from that image and the Pride is proof of Carnival getting away from the party image. We had an inside room on Deck 6 for our cruise. It was very, very, very small. On our way off the ship we did look into an outside room and it was quite a bit bigger. I would say that overall I was happy with the Pride and I would not hestitate to sail on a Carnival ship again, although a newer one . We may very well sail Carnival again as my 14 year old wants an Alaskan cruise for his high school graduation present(in 2005). Have you had a chance to check out cruisecritic.com yet? There is a Carnival board and believe me you will get all kinds of information on the Pride on that board Good luck I am sure that you will enjoy the Pride and hopefully there will be lots of kids for your child. If you think of any other questions let me know. Sorry this took me a while to get back to you.
Suzanne

[RAC]

Thanks for the reply! :) Someone that was on the Pride earlier this month picked me up some kids activity sheets and sent them in the mail. It seems like they have a lot of things for them to do. I know that we will probably go back to Disney after this cruise. My husband will be ready to "Remember the Magic". I have checked out cruisecritic they have a lot of info on that site. We booked an 8I Gurantee room. This will be our first Balcony cabin.
Thanks Again,
RAC :)
Randi

[digitalmom]

Bump

[lmcastelli]

Hi,
This will be our first cruise. Our 10 yo son can't wait! Our 14 yo daughter (15 at cruise time) is worried that she will be bored. We are cruising with 2 other families, (friends and cousins) all younger and mostly boys. She is the only teen. She usually has to be pushed to join in, but then she has a great time. Any input on the teen area? Do they try to include the kids that are there by themselves? I'm hoping she will meet others her age to have fun with and not have to hang with the younger kids.
We are going to arrive a few days early to see the Magic Kingdom. Any suggestions on clean affordable hotels in the Orlando Area? How about ideas on transportation? We need to get from the Airport to the hotel, from the hotel to Magic Kingdom and back, then to the Ship for the cruise, and from the cruise back to the airport again. Would we be better off with a rental car or maybe Tiffany or Happy Limo? There will be 4 Adults and 4 Children traveling together. Any suggestions and info would be great. I can't wait for the time to pass!!
Thanks,
Lisa

:D

P.S. Any tips for first time cruisers??

[digitalmom]

When we did the Magic April 2001, my oldest was 13( he'll be 15 on this cruise) and he did go the teen area, he didn't take a friend and we went with my mother-in-law, so no relatives his age. He managed to find kids his age to hang around with and had a great time. Although he wanted to stay up way too late for me:). I am sure that he will probably do the same on this cruise.

[digitalmom]

It looks like my mother-in-law may come with the kids and I. She went with us on the Magic March 2001 and enjoyed it. There's extra incentive for her to come with us as my husband(her son) is staying home:)

[newhampshire4]

Just reading your post and saw your timer, DigitalMom..... we still have 308 more days to go? :bounce: I wanna go now! LOL!

[digitalmom]

bump

[digitalmom]

bump

[newhampshire4]

Where is everyone else for the 5/24 cruise... you know, we only have 298 more days to plan this out! LOL!

[digitalmom]

bump!!!!

[digitalmom]

bump!!!

[digitalmom]

bump!!!!

[kstelzner]

Hi,
We just booked our 5/24/03 Western cruise. So excited!! I'm still trying to contact our TA to change our room (after reading about the disadvantages of Rm# 6652, not being able to see out). I'm thinking of requesting a Deck 5 room, but have to coordinate with other family members who need a quad room in cat. 11 (we want to be close by to them). It'd be nice if someone had a list of all the rooms that have that extra pull down celing bed. Any such thing? Also, I read months ago about some websites that show what rooms are available on cruises. Anyone got those?

Well, I'll be reading these post regulary and can't wait!! I'm sort of nervous about taking our 17 month old daughter (first trip).... I know it's going to take a lot of planning, but sounds like Disney accomodates to kids of all ages extremely well.

Thanks!

[newhampshire4]

Welcome Kstelzner!
You will have a great cruise:) We can't wait for May to roll around!
I know when we switched to this date back in June, there weren't many cat 6 rooms left, especially anything mid-ship. Cat. 5 had more of a choice at that time, but of course a higher price. Our cat 6 room isn't the greatest location (a little further aft than I had hoped), but I think it will be fine, and it's starboard this time. I can handle aft better than forward when it comes to the stomach ;P I can't remember the website that showed rooms available, but from what I understand it shows rooms available that were blocked for that travel agency, not necessarily a true picture of what dcl actually had available. I would definitely call dcl and see what they can arrange for you and the other room... maybe something else has opened up!?!

[sara]

:cool:
Hi!
Another cruiser checking in. This will be our second Disney cruise. We did the four day in 2001. We had the best time. The only time we got off the ship was Castaway Cay, so this cruise should be a little different for us! ;)
My DH (Brian) and I will be going with our two kids. DD-7 and DS-5. I have to admit...I've already been researching the exursions. I just can't wait!

Sara

[newhampshire4]

Hi Sara... :)
I know what you mean about planning.... I tend to get obsessed with these planning phases. I'm having a tough time deciding on excursions. Last time we did a catamaran trip, but our 2 girls were big chickens when it came time to get in the water for fear of what they might come face to face with. They were fine swimming there, just don't put a mask on them! I really want them to see Stingray City even if they won't put a toe in the water! Decisions, decisions!

[SlyHubby]

We will be there with you! Our second cruise with Disney. Last one was Thanksgiving 2000. I made the reservation for this one over a year ago! Hard to believe it's not that far off any longer. Had to get the date - our 10th anniversary - May 30th!

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by SlyHubby
. Had to get the date - our 10th anniversary - May 30th!

Of course! You Have to get sung to and get the Mickey cake! :earsboy:
Is this a surprise cruise?

[CaliforniaMom]

OK, OK, I can't stand it! We're going also on 5/24 for our second one. I try to stay away from these boards for now, because it is just too far away to think about. But every now and then I sneak on (kids don't know either, yet). We have 2 dd ages 12 and 7 (turning 13 and 8 shortly after the cruise). They also met others online before the last cruise - we were on 7 day eastern June 9, 2001. It was great for both to connect with other kids ahead of time. We met both families in the terminal and it wasn't long before all shyness was gone! This time we are going with my brother's family, (dd 11, dd 9, ds 7) - but they'll still be happy to meet other kids.
NewHampshire4 - where in NH are you? We are in Calif. (obviously) but DH grew up in NH and his family is still there. We are going there this Xmas - they live in Kingston, near Exeter.
OK back to the laundry!

[newhampshire4]

HI California Mom.. these boards are addictive, aren't they? :) I've been reading them mostly trying to get info on excursions, etc.
Your kids will be thrilled to hear they are going on another cruise! I think our two are more excited about revisiting SCOOPS than anything! LOL!
I'm from the Concord area - I will email you privately. Maybe we can get our girls in touch after you tell them the news!

[digitalmom]

It looks like I may have to cancel this trip. Even though it is still over 9 months away, too many conflicts are starting to pop up. I have a then 13 year old who may end up going to France, Monaco, and Italy summer 2003 and since Cobb County schools are out on May 23, 2003 the teacher is planning the trip to be from May 31st(the day the cruise gets back) thru June 9th. My husband emailed the teacher and she said the travel company can play with the date a couple of days either side of the 31st, which means they could leave Atlanta as early as May 29th or leave as late as June 2 but she won't know until a couple of months before the actual departure date and even less than that for the departure time. My husband really wants him to go on the trip. One of ours neighbors kids went this past summer(they did France and Spain) and the mother said the child has a great time. My 15 year old is hoping to get to be one of the clarinet section leaders for marching band for the 2003 fall marching season, which is great, I really want him to get this. But if he gets named one of the section leaders he really should be at rookie band camp which for the last two years has been the week after school gets out(it's held at the high school) and I feel it would look really bad for him to miss this and we won't know until the middle of next May if he gets named one of the section leaders, after the trip has been paid in full. I have looked at switching a couple of weeks later, over 5000.00 for the same category I have now( cat 5 on deck 7), just cannot afford that. Christmas is all booked up, nothing until Jan 18, 2003. Really can't afford Christmas time either, as I priced Christmas 2003 and it is over 5000.00. Besides I don't think my work would be happy with me missing Christmas as I am going to be gone Thanksgiving week with band to Hawaii(marching in a parade), not chaperoning, but tagging along as a family. a tagalong group was offered for families to go along with the band and my husband said we are going, even though I hate to fly. My 12, soon to be 13 will go with us and miss 2 days of schools since they only go Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week but a lot of his fellow 7th graders will be gone from school for a school sponsered trip to Orlando, so I know he will not be missing a lot of school that week, luckily. Tried getting the dates from the county for Spring Break 2004 but they don't have them yet. Priced a couple of the weeks it could be, one week is reasonable, the other week is over 5000.00. I can't win. Will not take the kids out of school, although I did consider it for about a minute. I know a lot of people on this board do support letting your kids missing school regardless of their ages but I just cannot. The cost they would pay for misssing school is not worth taking the cruise. I haven't cancelled yet but it is looking like I will have to. I thought the older they got the easier it would be, I was wrong big time. Sorry this is long but it has been a frustrating week.
Suzanne

[newhampshire4]

Suzanne- I know how you feel. We ended up moving this cruise from April to May due to one of our daughter's 8th grade trip- their arrival time back here was too close for comfort to catch a flight and make it to the ship on time, so we decided to switch the Disney trip. The April trip would have been much easier and fit better into our schedules, vacation time, etc, but we didn't want her to miss this chance to travel with her school and friends. We are running out of time to cash in on the 50% off cruise, and decided to take them out of school for the first time (ever), figuring it would be easier to take them out of school before she starts HS, so chose this week because it meant missing one less day of school with the holiday, but I still have very mixed feelings about it. Tough decisions, but know that whatever you decide is right for you!

[sara]

Hi!

Digitalmom, I'm sorry you may have to cancel. :( It does sound like a fun summer for your kids, hopefully, you'll be able to squeeze a cruise in, too. ;) Those prices made me glad I booked the cruise last year. (it has been a year now!) Booking so far in advance, does have it's disadvantages. A few months ago I was holding my breath because a dear, sweet , favorite (ect...) babysitter, announced she was getting married next "spring"!!!! My DH was shocked when I said I would cancel the cruise if the wedding was on one of the weekends. (I've been talking about this trip forever) Luckily, the date was set for early spring!!!
Hopefully, everything will work out!

Sara

[sara]

Anyone else?

I'm embarrased to admit, I've bought shirts/outfits for the tropical night already. They were on sale! :rolleyes: ;)

Sara

[newhampshire4]

Sara- actually, that's a very good idea! Probably easier to find them around here instead of waiting until the Spring!

[digitalmom]

Well, haven't cancelled yet. My husband says to wait and see what happens. Did go to meeting last night on the trip to Europe for the then 13 year old. Teacher is pretty sure the dates will more than likely stay the way they are, with probably a late afternoon departure so they travel at night for most of the flight. DH says that if older child makes section leader he will just have to not be there for rookie band camp as there should be the drum majors and the other clarinet section leader and all of the other section leaders. Rookie band camp is only for 3 hours for 4 days since Memorial Day is the Monday of that week. I thought when I booked this trip for the week after school gets out I was doing it so that the rest of the kids summer would be available for whatever, boy was I not thinking. So we will most likely stay on this cruise, unless the trip to Europe gets moved up to May 29 or 30 but then I thought that Christopher could still go to Europe as planned and Michael could take a friend with him, I have booked and paid deposits for 3 people in the room. I will have to run that one by my husband, unless I could talk him into going with us, but I don't think so.
Suzanne

[newhampshire4]

DigitalMom - You have to stay on this cruise- You're the one with the countdown in your signature! It would take me too long to figure that one out! LOL! Stay, stay! :)

[digitalmom]

Thanks Newhampshire. I want to stay too. Last night when I mentioned the idea of my 15 year old taking someone if my then 13 year old can't go for sure, my husband said that he hadn't thought of that option. Even though he is not going with us, I know my husband really wants us to go, not sure if this is good or bad:) Probably won't know until sometime in January/February if Christopher goes with us or if Michael gets to bring a friend. And I have until March 25,2003 to pay the balance.
Suzanne

[kstelzner]

Is anyone else addicted to this forum? This will be our first Disney cruise, but our very first cruise on RC we booked 2 weeks out, so this seems like eternity until May!

What are these DVC points people are using to go on DCL? I might be interested in signing up to get points for this cruise to use for the next one.

I also added the countdown line, so seeing if that works!

[newhampshire4]

Yes, addicted to this board!
Did you ever get your room switched, or did you end up staying with the same one?
DVC points is the disney vacation club. From what I understand, you buy points and then can use them at various Disney resorts for accomodations. Not real sure on all the details, but I believe they had a DVC desk on the cruise!?!?

[kstelzner]

Yes, we got our room changed. We ended up switching to #6626. Looks like a good room, near the aft elevators.

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by kstelzner
Yes, we got our room changed. We ended up switching to #6626. Looks like a good room, near the aft elevators.

Glad that it worked out for you! You are almost our neighbor-- you are 6 doors down from us if I counted that out right :)

[digitalmom]

We can't let this go all the way down to page 6!!! I wish this trip was sooner. Found out today that there are only 8 kids signed up for the trip to Europe and the teacher is opening it up to other kids(friends and siblings of the kids going). Have been checking our cruise date but the price has not moved at all unlike the May 3rd. Hopefully at some time it will go down but I am not going to hold my breath.

[digitalmom]

Bump!!! We were on page 5 this time, at least it wasn't page 6:)

p.s. less than 250 days now

[newhampshire4]

For being a near "full" cruise, thought we'd have more company on here by now!

[digitalmom]

Yes, it must be getting to be a popular date because the price is going up slowly but surely.

[digitalmom]

Bump!!!! Come on we can't keep letting this thing get buried. I had to do a search to find it.

[digitalmom]

Boy this cruise must have gotten pretty popular this past week as the price for the category (5 on deck 7) we are in has gone up $520.00 from September 17 to September 24. I guess people are starting to realize when their kids are getting out of school. Maybe too the people with kids not yet in school yet are deciding to go before the summer out of school crowd starts to go and the real heat of summer begins. I have been checking Disney's website and getting a quote about once a month just to see what the price does, something tells me that it probably won't go down like I was hoping:) I'll try to bump this back up the end of the week. Husband and 15 year old will be at an away football game. This one is too far away for me to want to drive to by myself and they say that Isadore may affect our weather Friday and Saturday. I do go to all the home games, have to show my support for the band. Hopefully it won't rain too bad on Saturday, 15 year old has band practice from 9 to 9 to get ready for a competition at Western Carolina University the following weekend. See you guys later.

[digitalmom]

I can't believe either that this week is not considered a peak week as Memorial Day is the Monday that we are on the cruise. I know that when I was pricing the following Western cruise it was a lot more and not at all affordable for me and the kids.

[sara]

:D :D :D :D

239 days!!!!! I want to go now!!!!!

Anyone else joining us??? We'd love to hear from you!
:D Oh...and if you are thinking about booking this cruise, you should look into Dreams Unlimited. They sponsor this site and they are wonderful!!!!!! :smooth:

My DD will be getting out of school on the Wednesday before. (first grade) Hopefully, we will be flying down on Friday. Just waiting for decent airfare. My DH has been on a driving kick lately, but I really want to fly!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Sara

[sara]

WooHoo!!!! We did it!!! :smooth: Thanks guys! There are now 8 of "us" booked through the wonderful Dreams Unlimited agents!!!! Free stateroom gift!;)

Anyone else joining us on the cruise? It's going to be a great time. I just wish it would hurry up and get here!!! :rolleyes:

Sara:D

[digitalmom]

Sara,
If you don't mind me asking, where in Indiana are you from? My husband and I got married in South Bend and both kids were born at Memorial Hospital there. We lived there for almost 9 years. My husband worked for Bendix. He works for Lockheed here in Marietta.
Suzanne

[sara]

Suzanne,
Awww...what good memories from Indiana!!!!
We live in SW Indiana. My DH works in Evansville. We actually live in a "suburb" of Evansville.;) DH has lived here most of his life, but I'm a transplant. Not too familiar with the state yet. But, in-laws are HUGE Notre Dame fans. SIL's went to St. Mary's.
Also, my brother worked at Lockheed in Houston. He now works in San Jose. Not sure of the company, he's switched jobs a few times this past year!:rolleyes:

Sara

[digitalmom]

Sara,
Thanks for responding so fast. The best memories of South Bend are of the kids' pediatrician , he was great, Had 3 kids of his own so he knew things from personal experience. The other was that home for me, Detroit area, was only 4 hours away by car instead of 11-12 hours away. Neither my husband nor I had any family there at all, just there for the job at Bendix. It's pretty much the same way here for us, except that my husband does have a grandmother, an aunt and a cousin here in Atlanta and northeast of Atlanta.
Suzanne

[newhampshire4]

Bumping way up....
We are down to 7 months and 13 days....:)
I bought our plane tickets this week. I waited a day too long, and the price went up $102 for the four tickets, but still did fairly well with airfare. We'll be flying in really late the night before, so most likely will stay overnight somewhere near the airport, and then head over to the ship in the AM. I'm still debating on transportation.. we rented from Avis last time, and it was nice to leave when we wanted, and we were able to go to a few stores to pick up a few last minute things on the way there, but the whole deal of waiting in line to rent at the airport along with the shuttle van from the Raddison is a bit of a pain.

[sara]

:smooth: :smooth: :smooth:

Hi everyone!!!!

Glad to hear you got your airfare, newhampshire4! How exciting!!! Hopefully, we'll be arriving the evening before, but no real plans yet.

Sara

[sara]

:smooth: :smooth: :smooth:

Hi everyone!!!!

Glad to hear you got your airfare, newhampshire4! How exciting!!! Hopefully, we'll be arriving the evening before, but no real plans yet.

Sara

[lmcastelli]

Originally posted by newhampshire4
Lisa...
Our 2 girls ended up buddying up with a couple of girls that they had first met online via this board. They chatted back and forth with emails discussing the cruise, and the first day, they were off with their friends running around, doing Karaoke, etc etc. They checked out the kids clubs a few times, but last time our oldest was definitely on the older end of the 10-12 group which consisted of primarily 10 yr old boys, so they were happier doing their own thing. This time she is happy to be old enough for Common Ground. Maybe we can put our 2 girls in touch prior to the cruise.. she is 13 now, 14 when they cruise.
We've always found it best to just rent a car... gave us far more flexibility! Beth

Beth

First, sorry it took me 3 months to get back to you!! Time Flies!!!

My daughter would like to get in touch with your daughter if that is still ok.

I'm pretty new to these boards, so I'm not sure how to do this. I'd rather not put her email address on the board but if you want to email me I will give it to you. My e-mail is lmcastelli@snet.net

Time seems to be going by faster than I thought it would. I think I'm more excited than anyone else in my family - probably because I get to do all the planning.

By the way we decided to use Tiffany Towncar. Since there will be 8 of us together on the trip it will be cheaper and hopefully easier. And we are staying at Best Western Eastgate for 2 nights before the cruise. I know it isn't Disney, but hopefully it will be clean. Anyone have any info good or bad on either Tiffany Towncar or Best Western Eastgate??

Thanks
Lisa :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[newhampshire4]

Hi Lisa... I'll email you privately with my daughters email address..
Don't know much on Tiffany or the hotel you are staying at. With 8, I guess that makes the most sense :) I got a decent deal on Avis booked in both directions. Will definitely need it on the tail end as we are staying an extra day. On the way down, we don't get into Orlando until midnight, and from reading the boards, it sounds like people get some fantastic priceline deals on airport hotels, so might do that. (We've had GREAT priceline deals in other places, so worth the try)... A towncar with tip would be about double of our Avis rental - but might be worth it. Decisions, decisions!

[sara]

Wow!!! Took me awhile to find this thread! I can't believe it's less than 200 days! Time flies!!!

Lisa, we've used Tiffany a few times in the past. No complaints here! Not sure what we'll do this time, though. If we get to Orlando early, we'll rent a car. If it's a late afternoon flight, (I have my eye on that one) we'll probably take a town car to the Radisson. Anyone else staying there the night before?

Have a good week!!!!

Sara





:D

[digitalmom]

We have stayed at the Radisson twice now the night before cruises. It is a nice place and handy to everything. This time I am thinking of driving as far as Ocala or Lake City or Gainesville. Since it is the kids last day of school, I know my older one will just have his last 2 finals that day and can leave at 11:30 am and the younger one will just have to leave early, probably about noon. It is a long drive as we are north of Atlanta, although we are only about 15 to 20 minutes off I-75. But sometimes I think this trip is not meant to be. A couple of weeks ago my husband told me that my 15 year old, who had joined a church youth choir with a friend of his from band may be needing to leave on May 31st, the day we get back, for a church choir thing in the Panama City area in Florida. Oh well, this trip doesn't need to paid for until the end of March. I just need to keep playing it by ear until then.

[CaliforniaMom]

Hi Beth! I wanted to email you regarding our visit to NH next month, but I discovered that our new email server must be set to discard old emails and I never saved your email address...how silly of me. I will email you using the one on these boards, but not sure if that is your regular one. Can you contact me via my email (audrey.meyer@attbi.com) - we now have our flights and we would love to get together so our girls can meet. Our girls still don't know about the cruise, in fact, they are close by right now, and if they get curious about why I am on these boards, I might be in trouble! They recognize that beige screen!

For everyone else, we are excited about this trip, but for me it is still too far away to chat too much on these boards, so I've been staying away for sanity! But, just caught up now, it sounds like there is a great group of people, we'll have to arrange a meet shortly after boarding.

See you all soon!
Audrey

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[newhampshire4]

Emailing you now, Audrey! :)
... Looking forward to meeting you all here in NH.... and again in MAY!

[sara]

Hi everyone!
Just bumping up!!!

Sara

[sara]

Hi! :D

I can't believe it's only five months away.


Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

Sara

[jerseycruisers]

Hi!

We are also on the 5/24/03 cruise. We were on the 11/24/01 Magic Eastern Caribbean cruise, and now it's the time to go west.

My daughter will be 14 in May, and I also have a son who is 11. They had a great time on the first Disney cruise and wanted to do it again. They are looking forward to meeting kids their age.

The kids just found out about it for Christmas. We can't wait!

[newhampshire4]

Jersey Cruisers,
Hi - Please email us!
bethc@usa.com
Our daughters will be 14 in February and 12 yrs in June. Would love to have the kids meet up online before then!

[digitalmom]

Bump!!!
Told the kids about the cruise on Christmas Day, they are excited. Now hopefully my younger child's trip will be changed so that we can get back and be home at least a day before he leaves. My husband called the group handling the trip and they have the departure date as June 1st and not May 31st, so hopefully it will be June 1st, should know by the end of February. I need to start getting serious about planning this trip. For our older child we were told that we could just meet the group in Panama City. This trip may work out after all, besides my husband said that it will be a long time for another cruise. He even asked how I felt about crusing with babies, as in with grandchildren...hopefully that won't happen for many, many, many years.

[digitalmom]

Bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[clark3]

We are also on the 5/24/03 western cruise. There are 5 of us, me, my husband, my daughter (3y) and my parents. We can not wait!!

[sara]

:D

Jersycruisers and Clark3...Welcome!!!
Lots of Christmas surprises here!:D What a great present!!! Hope everything works out for you, digitalmom. Life can get complicated.

Sara

[kstelzner]

Any sign of cheaper prices for this date? Just wondering with the whole economy and with the probablity of war soon. Wonder if Disney is feeling the pinch?

[itsmylife]

Hi!NH4 I am the 12 yr old daughter of Californiamom! :D I am so excited to finally know about the cruise. I would like to contact your daughters and set a meeting place on the cruise.:earsgirl:

Also, (to everybody) My cousins are coming with us and one is 11 so we want to talk to other people and maybe meet them

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by kstelzner
Any sign of cheaper prices for this date? Just wondering with the whole economy and with the probablity of war soon. Wonder if Disney is feeling the pinch?

Probably not - this cruise was almost "sold out" months ago -

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by itsmylife
Hi!NH4 I am the 12 yr old daughter of Californiamom! :D I am so excited to finally know about the cruise. I would like to contact your daughters and set a meeting place on the cruise.:earsgirl:

Also, (to everybody) My cousins are coming with us and one is 11 so we want to talk to other people and maybe meet them

Hi Itsmylife- my daughters will definitely be in touch :) Just got your mom's email and we are on the way out the door, but later this evening I'm sure you will have an email . You will all have so much fun! The girls realized yesterday that we are exactly 4 months from cruising (and also 4 months from Scoops!)

[NYdiscuisers]

Hi 5/24'ers,

We've been lurking for a while and thought it was time to introduce ourselves. We are a family of 4 (DH, DW, DD(9) and DD(5)) going on our first cruise. In addition to us, there are another 10 of our family members booked, all first time cruisers!

We're daydreaming of the sunny Caribbean as we watch the snow falling outside (again!)

We've been thinking about doing Capt. Marvins and horseback riding in Grand Cayman and Atlantis submarine in Cozumel. Nothing booked yet.

Can't wait till 5/24!

[dizneykids]

thanks to newhampshire4! i knew there had to be a thread going, but just didn't have the patience to search without the search function (at least it didn't work for me last night). after going through a half dozen pages and still not finding it, i gave up and posted a message. thanks, newhampshire4 :teeth:

to introduce us...we are a family of 5: me, dh, and 3 boys, 10 (will be 11 the week after the cruise), 9 and 4. this will be our second 7-day...our first was spring break last year, but eastern caribbean. we were going to do sean's birthday on the ship, but that's an eastern week and we all agreed (even him) that we wanted to do western. so, we'll still have a cake brought to him and all that, but we'll celebrate his birthday at wdw after we leave the ship (we're staying there for another week). we've also been on the 3-day (just once, but once was enough to know we don't want to do it again) and the 4-day (3 or 4 times, i've actually lost track). we all agree the 7-day is the way to go.

on our last 7-day cruise, we lucked out and got the walt disney suite. we tried again this year, but to no avail as it was booked. well, we have the GREATEST dcl reservationist (we've used the same one since our first cruise), who keeps her eyes out for us....she called just a few days ago to tell us she moved our reservation over to the walt suite as it had just opened up! while we're thrilled, we were hoping for the roy o. suite, so now she's keeping her eyes open for that in the off-chance it frees up. we just want to say we've been in both!

has anyone planned a meet yet?

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by dizneykids


has anyone planned a meet yet?

No, but if anyone wants to take charge, go for it ;)

[dizneykids]

i tried coordinating one for the sailaway last year, and it got quite hectic. if one is scheduled, i would recommend it for monday when we are at sea and there's not so much competing for our attention.

[digitalmom]

Boy, this thread is starting to get active. I am not offering to set up a meet but if we do end up trying to do one, we need to make it in a very clear and obvious place and I think that dizneykids is right about the day. On the past 2 cruises that the kids and I went on we tried to do meets but it didn't seem to work out for us. Both times they were scheduled on Saturday, either just before or just after we left port and it was way too hard to find the people and we never did find them.

[dizneykids]

there's really nothing to setting up a meet except finding a way to let people know WHERE to meet and HOW to meet. i've heard that a lot of groups suggest the sessions lounge during the day simply because it isn't used. however, i have an aversion to closed-in smoky places, so while it may be a good place to initially meet, it is not a good place to remain for me.

we could meet in front of sessions and then after a bit, go up to the pool area. that way, the kids aren't whining about us old folks yakking. i've got 3 boys...10 (nearly 11), 9 and 4. the older two may want to swim or just head to the club. the younger one would love pool time.

what do y'all think?

digitalmom....are y'all going to make it? i read on the other thread that it was up in the air.

[sara]

Welcome to all the "new" people! :D As the cruise gets closer, it's fun to really start planning. Now, I've been thinking about it for a year now. ;) I am ready for spring!!!!!!

A meet does sound good. It's fun to put faces with names. :D

My exciting news....I finally got airline tickets. I've been waiting since July!!! :o
The times are perfect. Now, I just hope the airline doesn't change that. We are surprising the kids with something after the cruise. ;) Let's see if I can keep it a secret from them. (doubt it)

Sara

[newhampshire4]

I agree... last time, our first cruise, everyone was supposed to meet on deck 9 during the sail away party, but that was as specific as it got - I think we were all first time cruisers, and someone read that deck 9 was "the" place to meet - well, someone forgot to mention there would be a few hundred people on deck 9 and never met anyone except for one family - and that was only because our daughters had a better plan than the adults did :)
..and of course, I know 4 girls from NH, NJ & CA who might already have their plan in the works... right girls?:smooth:

[MagicInTheStars]

HI! I'm newhampshire4's kid. If you have any kids ages 13-15 going on the cruise 5/24 please let me know!:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[digitalmom]

dizneykids - It looks pretty good that we will be there. We have been told by someone at the company that is doing the trip my 13 year old is going on that the tentative departure date from Atlanta is now June 1st instead of May 31st. My 13 year old said his teacher who is doing the trip wants to leave June 1st or 2nd, so hopefully they won't leave until June 1st at the earliest and I won't need to worry about getting him back to Atlanta in a hurry on May 31st . My husband is so positive that my 13 year old will be going with us that he has invited a friend of my 13 year old's to come with us. The parents are thinking about it. As for the 15 year old I just need to somehow get him to Destin or Panama City(Florida) from the port on that Saturday. The things you do for your kids. When I originally booked this trip, July 2001 I never thought that my kids would be doing things right after school got out. It seems the older the kids get, the busier they are. Also my husband is a firm believer in that if the kids have a opportunity to do something then he is going to try his hardest to get it to work out.

MagicIn TheStars - I will have 2, possibly 3 boys with me. My two boys will be 13 and almost 16 and we may have another 13 year old boy with us(a friend of my 13 year old's).

[dizneykids]

they know we're going on the cruise, they just won't (hopefully!) know that we're going to be in the walt suite until we board. my dh and i are trying very hard not to slip!

to make the day complete, we've decided to go on the disney bus out to the port. we're flying in late friday night (it's the kids' last day of school) and staying at the hyatt. it's more expensive for the 5 of us, but less hassle and more fun.

[NYdiscuisers]

If you are going to be in Florida the day before, you might want to keep an eye on this page. (http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/archives/sts-115/index.html) As of today, there is a space shuttle launch scheduled for 5/23/03. No launch time is available.

We're hoping that we'll be able to see it, but don't get your hopes up too much, yet, as these things are easily delayed or rescheduled.

In memorium, http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/COL_memorial.html

[digitalmom]

If it does work out that there is a space shuttle launch May 23rd or even the 24th, I may have to rethink about only driving so far into Florida on Friday and driving the rest of the way to the port on Saturday. Even from the Atlanta area it is a long drive to the port and once it gets dark, I drive even slower. We'll just have to wait and see what happens with that date.

[sara]

Please, please, please let there be a space shuttle launch! That would be so cool!!! I'm trying not to get too excited. I've heard the joke about any day EXCEPT the scheduled day. :( I'll be watching the site for a time.

Sara

[dizneykids]

i finally had a chance to read this entire thread through from the start. i'm showing 11 cruising families (so far!), with a total of 18 (plus) children ranging in ages from clark3's 3 yo dd to digitalmom's 15 yo son.

in suggesting we meet on sunday, i totally forgot that on the western, we are in key west on sunday. now, the ship doesn't dock until around noon, but it may not be the best day for a meet. thoughts?

monday, we are at sea....may be a better fit for a meet. or...maybe we could meet quickly on sunday just so everyone can say "HI," then plan a pool-side meet on monday. thoughts?

there is a 7-day western navigator set posted at http://www.*****************/

newhamshire4...i, too, am a beth.

lmcastelli....i have a 10yo son as well, am going to have him (or his 9yo brother (16 months younger) start following the kids' thread....what are the ages of the kids in the other 2 families travelling with you?

jerseycruisers....is your 11yo son just 11 or an older 11? my 10yo will be turning 11 the week after the cruise.

finally, my dh is going to HATE me (probably my kids, too!) but i'm going to make the same offer i did on our last cruise...i know on our first couple dcl cruises, i desperately wanted to see one of the royal suites. so, we'll have an open house of sorts, so anyone who wants to come see the suite can. i need to work on the details, but am thinking monday sometime (after the cabin steward does his/her magic in picking up after us!).

btw...any pin traders in the group?

[sara]

dizneykids, how nice of you to offer your room for others to see! :D Hope your husband doesn't mind too much. ;)

I'm not sure at all about meets. We've only been on the 4-day. There was a meet scheduled for sailaway, but we were too busy dancing away!!!! It would be nice to meet people earlier in the week. In case we should bump into one another later in the week. But, I'm no help as to when. :rolleyes:

digital mom, glad things are working out for you. :D

Sara

[jerseycruisers]

Hi, JerseyCruiser's daughter! I'm 13. If there are any other teens going on the 5/24 cruise who want to get in touch, send me a PM. I've talked to Britt already.;)

dizneykids: My brother is 11 now and will turn 12 in July. He'd be glad to have a friend on the cruise.

Can't wait for the cruise!! :D :bounce:



Chrissy

[newhampshire4]

Hi other Beth :)
That would be WONDERFUL to get a glimpse of the suite... wahoo :)
I know, I haven't gotten this itinerary in my head yet- I keep having to pull my confirmation sheet to help remember any sort of order of where we are going.... all I know is we HAVE to get to Castaway on Friday this time! :Pinkbounc
Sunday might be tough- not only is it Key West at noon, but in the morning, 1/3 of us could be at a character breakfast - so maybe sometime on Monday might work best. We'll have to take a peek at other Western cruise dates to see what they are doing for timing!?!
Beth

[newhampshire4]

...and no pin traders, although my husband was a panelist on Who Wants to Be a Mousketeer, and thinks his panelist pin is worth a million dollars, so he might sell for half a million ... lol!

[dizneykids]

well, not quite a million, beth, but it is hard to get one. i have one as i jumped up and down and was very loud so i'd be picked. would have rathered be a contestant, but there's always this cruise ;)

okay, since this meet will be a come & go kind of thing, why don't we plan for 10am+ somewhere between the goofy pool and the mickey pool? then we can figure where we can best plop ourselves and still keep eyes on kids if necessary. then, assuming my kids don't drag me away for the shuffleboard tournie (assuming it is the same day/time on our cruise), i can take small groups down to see the suite.

my only request is that when we do find a place to rest, it's not in the direct sun unless absolutely necessary. i have problems with sun, even with loads of sunscreen, so i prefer to use my intense sun days for excursions.

oh, just thought of a way we can locate each other. i have a mickey auction paddle from disneyana a couple years ago. i'll just tape that somewhere.

[dizneykids]

i hate being on page 2!

[Skierkid546]

I am going on the the cruse with my mom (digitalmom) and I will be 13 and looking for some one that will be my age

[jerseycruisers]

Skierkid546: MagicInTheStars started a thread called *teens/common Ground!!* Feel free to post something there! :bounce:

[CaliforniaMom]

Hi Everyone - I've been busy coordinating my kids meeting other kids via email, so haven't posted lately - we've connected with NewHampshire4's 11 year old and Sara's 7 year old for our girls (ages 7 and 12). One of these days, I'll get my SIL to register - then we won't shut her up! They have 3 - dd 11, dd 9, and ds 7.

Disneykids (I think?) - you asked about pin trading. My DH got us into this for our first cruise. We bought some starter ones at the airport before that cruise and a lanyard on board. Then we had so much fun buying more:bounce: and trading with CMs. We will be bringing our "family" collection this time for sure! The Disney stores carry some generic ones, but we feel special because we have some that you can not purchase anywhere in the world but on Castaway Cay! What a marketing ploy! I cheated awhile back and asked a friend going to DL to get some California Adventure ones for us.:cool:

I agree that a meet on the sailaway day is impossible. We were too excited watching the action and the sailaway to try to find the DIS folks. I think either Sunday or Monday are best. Thanks to Disneykids also for the offer - I would love to see a suite. We won't stay long, or trash the place or anything :smooth:

Audrey

[digitalmom]

Bump!!!!!

[MagicInTheStars]

bump?

[Skierkid546]

Bump to move this up

[dizneykids]

by adding a message, it "bumps" the thread to the top (temporarily) of the first page. sometimes people don't have anything to say, but they don't want the thread to get lost on the 2nd, 3rd, etc. pages, so they simply add a "bump" message.

that said, i'm bumping this up so a dear friend who's going on the cruise with us can join in....or lurk as she pleases. HI, SANDY! :teeth:

[dizneykids]

has anyone already planned which excursions you're going to take? disney or on your own?

we tend to book on our own as (1) disney will sometimes impose a minimum age limit (we have a 4yo) that the provider doesn't, and (2) it can oftentimes be cheaper to do on your own.

we are planning on doing key west on our own with no tour...just explore. we plan on doing stingray city in grand cayman and dolpin encounter in cozumel (or is it the other way around?). we will be booking those on our own.

anyone else?

[yogitxtx]

Hey dizneykids!

I'll be bringing my pins!!

[dizneykids]

DUH!!

y'all welcome yogitxtx...this is the friend i'm traveling with on the cruise. she is the epitome of a disney fan....i don't think there's an inch in her house not occupied by something disney! and she's a MAJOR pin trader, so bring your pins if you want to try trading for some unique pins.

[MagicInTheStars]

We are going parasailing:earseek: :wave: :crazy:

[dizneykids]

where are y'all parasailing?

looks like we'll be doing something different on cozumel...dh wants to do the ruins, and i know the boys will be bored to tears, so we'll go to the beach for a bit while he "ruins." think we'll go check out sally's minigolf as well!

anyone else?

[newhampshire4]

Welcome Yogitxtx :)
MagicintheStars is our oldest daughter.. she is going to be brave and parasail with me at Castaway as long as they promise not to drop her in the ocean to be attacked by whales and sharks, right Britt? ;)
Key West I think we will do our own thing - probably do the trolley and a bit of exploring. Grand Cayman, I definitely want to see Stingray City although DH and I will probably be in the water while the kids take our picture from the boat :rolleyes: (probably non-Disney excursion), and Cozumel we are thinking of doing the Jeep Tour.

[dizneykids]

so no one else is doing an excursion?

[digitalmom]

I am not sure what we are doing yet. In Key West we will probably do one of the train/trolley tours and possibly something on the water. In Cozumel maybe miniature golf and maybe snorkling, although my husband looked at me like I was nuts when I said miniature golf, but he isn't going with us, so it doesn't matter what he thinks. In Grand Cayman I guess Stingray City, I will probably look into Capt. Marvins. We may do a mix of Disney and on our own. Key West will probably be on our own.

[Jacquelyn11]

Hi Digital MOM!

Please look for your thread message! (Next time I won't make it so obvious!!):earseek:

Jacquelyn:teeth:

[dizneykids]

we're headed for page 3 :eek:

okay, i admit it, i'm becoming obsessed. i've already started packing (in my mind at least) and drawing up lists of things we need to get between now and then.

am i alone?

[CaliforniaMom]

Just testing my new "signatures", countdown, etc! Thanks to my wonderful DH - He was bored the other day!

Dizneykids - I have pulled out my lists from our trip a few years ago - just to peruse them, etc. and send to my sister in law who is going for the first time with us. But I know how you feel, planning and anticipation are all part of the fun and excitement!

[MagicInTheStars]

almost 100 more days!

[sara]

Hi everyone!!!! I've been "thinking" about excursions, but not sure what we'll do, yet. All the kiddos want to do is go to the beach!;) Key West, we'll do on our own. Grand Cayman, we'll do a snorkeling, stingray tour. Then head to the beach. Not sure about Cozumel. It's between the Dolphin Encounter, Fury Catamaran or a day a the beach. Although, I do think about the cruise, I'm trying not to get too obsessed with it until after Spring Break. Then....watch out!!!!! :D :rolleyes:

Sara

[newhampshire4]

Haven't started packing, but have a friend who just booked May 2004, and answering her questions has gotten my all wound up! :)

[digitalmom]

Looks like it should be the 3 of us with no problems and hopefully the friend of my 13 year old's that we asked to come along with us will be able to. Called the place that the 13 year old's Europe trip is thru to double check the departure date before I sent the check for the final payment in the mail. The girl I spoke to said the departure date is still listed as June 1st and that the departure flight has been booked, although she couldn't give me any information on the flight. She did say that the trip dates could still change, although it is highly unlikely unless the teacher taking the group over needs to change the date. So I have started my spreadsheet for the trip and printed the excusion lists for each port from the Disney Cruise website to see what is available in each port and now I have to decide what to do on our own or do thru Disney. Tomorrow will be 100 days!!!!!

[newhampshire4]

We will have to have a 100 day celebration tomorrow! :)

Question - I'm sure the answer is somewhere on these boards, but... I'll ask here first...
When we went 2 yrs ago, we booked excursions onboard upon arrival... now we can call 60 days in advance to book? When we book, are they actually charging us then, or do we get billed to our room that week? They must be sending us the excursion info with final bills?? Thanks to anyone who can fill me in!:confused:

[sara]

:D 100 days....wow!!!!

Beth, I think you will be charged for your excursions on your ship board account. I also think, you have up to seven days prior to change your excursion choice without penaly. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. ;) After the 60 day mark, you can call or fax your excursion choices in. I'm getting all the info from disneycruise.com. There's a number there to call when you are ready. Hope that helps!

Digitalmom, glad to hear it is all working out. Your 13 yo is going to have one great summer. A cruise and a trip to Europe!!!! :D

Sara

[digitalmom]

Sara, thanks I am glad that this is working out. I will say that I think in some ways my kids are spoiled. They have travelled so much more than I ever did when I was their ages. Even though their travel has cost some money and costing more by the day it has been good that they have had these opportunities like they have.

Beth, for the shore excusions thru Disney I went to Disney's website and you can print out an excusion form that you can either fax back to them or call them on the phone 60 days or sooner before your cruise. It says that you can make changes up to 2 days prior to departure and the cost is put onto your shipboard account and the tickets should be in your room on the day of departure. They said they cannot take any prepayment for the excusions. I am not sure what we will be doing yet but at least I got the information printed so that I can see what Disney offers and then look on the internet for the same types of excusions offered thru others than Disney.

[digitalmom]

Here it is 100 days now!!!!!!!!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[dizneykids]

WOO HOO!

:bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc

[newhampshire4]

Wahoo!!! Only hours away from

:bounce: :earseek: DOUBLE:earseek: :bounce:
:bounce: :earseek: DIGITS!:earseek: :bounce:


Thanks everyone for the excursion info - off to dcl website (btw, if you ever get transfered to the accounting dept for DCL like I did yesterday trying to straighten out billing issues, be prepared to deal with women on broomsticks... yowza)

[digitalmom]

Double Digits now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
99 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hard to believe that when I set up my countdown clock it was over 300 days for the cruise!

[sara]

Double digits!!!! :Pinkbounc :bounce: :Pinkbounc :bounce: Now, this is definately a time for celebration! :smooth: It's getting closer!

[dizneykids]

no one has had anything to add in about 24 hours! yikes!!

questions: what dinner seating do you have? and have you requested a specific dining rotation?

[CaliforniaMom]

It's funny, on our first cruise, even though I read everything on these boards, I didn't request or even hope for a particular dining rotation - I just let it happen. Now I have studied all the possibilities very carefully and plan to ask for PLAPLAP. We loved the outdoor view in Parrot Cay, and loved the food there the best. We have late seating (by request to give us more time during the day). Wonder if we'll run into any of our fellow DIS'ers?

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[digitalmom]

We have early seating for dinner. I am not planning on asking or requesting a particular rotation for dinner. What we get is what we get. We had late seating when we were on the Pride last year and we just weren't that crazy about it. But that is us, my husband has gotten the kids used to eating early.

[dizneykids]

last year, on the eastern caribbean, we requested the PLA rotation. that way, we were in lumiere's for formal night, saving dh from having to bring a jacket as he had rented a tux. on semi-formal night, we went to palos. it also put us in parrot cay for tropical night, which seemed appropriate.

not sure what we will request this time. formal night is monday on the western, semi-formal is thursday. mexicali (tropical) night is wednesday. we'll probably request APL. need to check with the family, but if they want to be in lumieres on formal and parrot cay on tropical, then that's the one we'll need.

we are at the late seating. the kids rarely eat with us, preferring to eat with their new friends in the kids' clubs. that leaves us at a table for 5 all by ourselves, but we eat later without all the noise of first seating.

[CaliforniaMom]

OK, Dizneykids, your comments made me stop and think. It would be fun to be in parrot cay on tropical night, which means we would need APL - but that is what we had last time, and I definitely got tired of Animator's Palate with no view of the ocean. It's fun for a few nights, but three?? I guess we could do our Palo night one of those, but still like the idea of parrot Cay for 3 nights. That way, we can wear tropical dress to one of our Lumeire nights. DH doesn't want to bring a suit this time, just a sport coat...

It sounds like we might be the wild table at late seating. We'll have my brother and SIL and their 3 kids and we'll most likely all eat together most of the time. So, we'll have 4 (fun) adults and 5 kids ranging in age from 7 to 12. OK, OK, we're not really wild, but we'll be having fun!

How can I wait until then???? I think my SIL is the sane one, she hasn't even lurked, I don't think. Let me find out - are you out there reading this now? You know who I'm talking to! :p

[sara]

Hi!
CaliforniaMom...just sent your DD an email. My DD really enjoys hearing from her!

We've signed up for early dinner. It will probably be too early, though! Oh well. As for which rotation....that's getting me confused!:confused: I can see how APL would work. But, what about Palo's. And to know how many "outfits" to bring. Wow, that is way over my head right now!!!;) Maybe, I need to stop daydreaming about this cruise and start some real planning!!!

Oh, I did try on a swimsuit the other day.:earseek: Did NOT buy it!!!

Sara

[digitalmom]

Bump!!!!!!!!!!!

[dizneykids]

who has the most snow? fortunately, we're in north texas and have no snow, but i used to live in connecticut. i've been through one or two of these blizzards over my life.

think castaway cay....think castaway cay....think castaway cay!

[NYdiscuisers]

(thank God for snowblowers)

Newspaper says 16" here in Poughkeepsie, NY (as of 9pm last night). There was another inch or 2 by this morning. And it's snowing (not accumulating) AGAIN! I heard on the radio this am 19.8" in Central Park.

[newhampshire4]

We have early seating... I would rather have late, but it's 3-1 against ;) I guess if they change their minds, it's easier to switch from early to late than the other way around. Last time we had LAP which ended up being a quiet seating even on early rotation, as very few little ones in there. That's the one that I initially didn't want to get, because I saw Lumiere's 3 times - but the first night wasn't dressy because it was the first night, and one of them ended up being tropical in Lumiere's, so it worked out fine. We've gone back and forth about the advantages and disadvantages of requesting our own table, or ending up at a group table again... I guess we'll just leave it all up to luck, and whatever happens, happens!?!
Beth
(who is buried in heaps of new snow on top of the 2 feet of old snow)

[dizneykids]

we're leaving ours up to luck of the draw as well. we generally don't have another family assigned, but we did this last time. i did request a more centrally located table, though, as i hate being seated on the outside of a room....i'm a people-watcher. i'll put the rotation request in with the concierge when they call in advance.

personally, we like late seating. the kids can see the shows early (though, since we've seen them all, then tend not to want to go each time) and still have plenty of time with the kids in the clubs. we just feed them at plutos or at beach blanket. last time, our middle one asked to eat with us one night when the other two didn't want to. that was a treat! it's funny how kids are.

[MagicInTheStars]

hello :bounce:

[inkkognito]

The only difficult part of this cruise will be deciding on our shore excursions. We love the two we've done in Cozumel so far, and Xcaret is still tempting us...I need a three-sided coin to flip!!!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[CaliforniaMom]

Does this mean Inkognito is on our cruise??? Someone famous? How special! We first learned how great deck 7 aft was from you on the boards in 2001 - we'll be there again this time.

Sara - my DD loves to send emails to yours and to receive them. She asks every day! She has just sent another one, but can't think of anything to say! The other day, she said "wouldn't it be cool if I had her phone #?" So watch out! We'll draw the line at emails, I think. I can just imagine a phone conversation "...um...um...um...what are you doing?"

We are still thinking about our excursion possibilities. We are going to be a bit limited due to DH in a wheelchair - but he really wants to experience Mexico, so we'll have to do some in-town stuff and then see about some of the shorter excursions on the water. He has relatives in central Mexico, but has never been there. Imagine that - with relatives there and living a big chunk of his life in California, never going to visit!

[inkkognito]

Yes, we will be there :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc
It wasn't exactly planned, considering that I usually have our trips booked a year or two in advance. But when we missed Grand Cayman on the 1/4 Western, we decided that if the Memorial Day week sailing was a Western, we'd try again. It was, and we did!!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[CaliforniaMom]

Well, it will be fun to meet you and get tips in person! I guess you'll be aft, so DD's and I will catch you on the stairs, I'm sure! Any thoughts on Cozumel's downtown area, is it just overrun with tourists, or do you think it will be easy to get around?

Welcome to our thread!:cool:

[dizneykids]

Hello, back to you, MagicInTheStars! Are you sailing on the 5/24 Western?

Inkkognito...were you on the Eastern 7-day last March 8-16? If so, I think we chatted as I admired your lanyard during one of the receptions...DVC maybe?

[digitalmom]

Oh my, only 32 days(not counting today) until this trip has to be paid in full. I have a feeling that once I pay this balance then it will come really fast. Have started some planning, need to start working on my packing list. Also need to have the kids try on clothes so that I know what I may have to buy them.

I see I am close to becoming a DIS vet, for the second time.

[dizneykids]

i sure hope it comes fast! i'm obsessing over this cruise more than i ever have. usually, dh gets so excited over the cruise that he does all the planning. this time....i'm handling things. just bought him a cruise passporter, though, to get him into the swing of things.

i've got to draft an actual written list of things to pack. i'm planning on going lighter this year, even though we'll be going to wdw for a couple days afterwards. unless there's a major problem, i'll probably save all my laundry to do at wdw, so i won't have to bother with it on the ship.

we just switched our reservation over to AAA to get the mugs for the boys and to get the 10% discount at treasure's ketch. now, just trying to figure out when to do palo. anybody else got that planned?

[digitalmom]

No plans to do Palo this time. For our first Disney cruise my mother-in-law went with the kids and I so we did the tea and dinner at Palo. This time since there won't be another adult with me I'm skipping it but at least I was able to do dinner there once.

I keep my packing list in Excel so for every trip I resave it as something for the particular trip we are going on and then I just make adjustments to it for that trip.

[CaliforniaMom]

I saved a printout of someone else's packing list from our first cruise in 2001. I will be getting it copied, or something (wonder if I can search that far back on the boards?) to send to SIL - if anyone else wants it let me know and I'll work something out. It is definitely more detailed than I would ever do, right down to the Q-tips and tampons! Some things are just automatic for me! But it was a helpful checklist and included some ship info and itinerary info, although it was for Eastern.

Let me know if anyone is interested in it.

[CaliforniaMom]

Do you see that the Tag Fairies visited me??!!!


:p

[dizneykids]

californiamom...i'd love a copy!

am i missing something with the tag fairies? what's that about?

[inkkognito]

Dizneykids, no, our only Eastern was in January a couple of years ago. The Eastern was fun, but I fell in love with the Western so now it would be hard to sway me away (at least until they get rid of that early-morning immigration requirement).
It always seems odd being on the Magic after a lot of trips on the Wonder...like going to Disneyland after being so used to Disney World. We're really looking forward to it, as the 3-days are so short. A week at sea is absolute bliss!
Anyone else have their sights set on high tea? That will be my big no-miss activity on board.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[kstelzner]

Californiamom..... I'd love a copy of the packing list too!! Haven't been on the this board for awhile because of my other obsession (Ebay), but now that we're less than 90 days, it's time to switch back over.

Excursions.... we plan on booking with Disney for Key West, probably the Conch Train Tour and Museum package..... just because it'll probably cost us the same price as if we did it on our own. In Cozumel, we're still trying to work out the details because we have an 18 month old we can't do the Dolphin encounter with Disney. Grandma has volunteered to watch her while we do this one, but she needs somewhere to go..... so we'll probably pay to all get into Chankanaab Park, they can plop down somewhere while the rest of us do the Dolphin encounter. In Grand Cayman, we definately want to do the Stingrays, but again we'll probably book privately to be able to take our daughter (though she probably won't get in the water).

We're early seating, but haven't even thought about rotation.... or even knew we could request a specific one. Whatever one, we'd probably request one that lots of kids go to..... we aren't doing Palos.

I do want to move foward 5 cabins, but it's reserved (we want to be closer to grandma's room). Anyone on this board in 6616? That's what I'm hoping will open up when it becomes pay up time!!

[CaliforniaMom]

OK, Dizneykids and kstelzner - I'll get the list into an electronic format and then see what I can do. I'll probably email it privately to each of you - not sure if I can link it to one of these messages - unless DH helps me...

Dizneykids, if you go to the thread titled "user id" you will discover the magic of the tag fairies. They are special, but if you don't believe, you won't understand... ;)


Hey everyone! :bounce: We're less than 90 days now! That sounds like it's just around the corner. Oh no, now the stress of getting ready and finishing all the end of year "parent participation" school projects, etc. etc.!
:bounce:

[sara]

CaliforniaMom, if you can, I'd like a copy of that list, too. Maybe, I wont forget anything then!!! ;) When it comes time to pack, it's all up to me.

We are hoping to do Palo's for dinner and brunch. I think we'll pass on Tea. I'm not too found of tea. Not sure about wine tasting. Sounds interesting...but I'm a light-weight. :rolleyes:

I'm hoping time will quickly go by, too. As I look out the window, I'm having my doubts spring will ever be here! We're getting even more snow. Looks like yet another snow day for the kids.

Sara

[allseastravel]

Barb,

I am glad to hear that you will be joining us again! Janice and I and the children are escorting a large group on the Memorial Day sailing. We are presently at 66 staterooms and counting! We are sailing in a Category 1 for the very first time. You'll have to join us there for a drink! We'll miss you by a week on the March 13 Wonder. We are sailing with family (four generations) on March 6, in honor of my 50th birthday. Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate! We look forward to seeing you in May.

Chuck Maida

[dizneykids]

hey, chuck! we're in the other cat 1 on the memorial day sailing....wanna switch??? ;-) we've sailed in the walt suite and were hoping for the roy suite this time!!

seriously, we would love to see the roy suite and would be more than happy to have y'all come over and see the walt suite. in fact, i've already offered an "open house" in the walt suite sometime on monday when we are at sea (time TBD).

[newhampshire4]

Catching up here......

Now how "cool" is that... both category 1's are on this board, and Barb cruisin' with us, too :) (who I consider the ultimate source of cruise info!)

I'd love to have that packing list, too!

"MagicintheStars" who popped in to say "hi" belongs to me... that's our 14 year old who can't wait to cruise to meet Chrissy who she met up with via these boards (who just sent her the CUTEST Mickey mouse birthday card!). Our other daughter is also anxious to meet Audrey's daughter, who have also "met" online. Of course, I'm sure all of the girls would love to chat with others their age, so feel free to email me at bethc@usa.com to get them in touch.

It's February 24th.. so 3 months :Pinkbounc

[MagicInTheStars]

I am going on teh 5/24 cruise indeed

[digitalmom]

Well, we now have a fourth going with us. It is a friend of my 15 year old. The friend that we had asked to come along with us for my 13 year old wasn't willing to do the deal that his parents proposed to him to be able to go on the cruise. So last night I talked to the mother of my older child's friend and she had no hestitation at all for letting her son go. I just need to call Disney now and add him to the room since I booked a room that will sleep four as I had hoped that somehow I could talk my husband into going with us, but he won't. So now there will be me, my 15 year old son, his 16 year old friend and my 13 year old son.

[newhampshire4]

We don't get in Friday night until midnight, so didn't want to spend a lot on a hotel room, but wanted the convenience of a nice hotel near the airport. So, after reading the Bidding for Travel boards, saw that many people were getting MCO 3 star rooms (the highest star rating for MCO rooms on priceline is 3 star) for their minimum bid of $28. Me, too!! Got the Marriott on first try for $28 :):Pinkbounc

[digitalmom]

Changed my countdown clock to add our fourth. It was not easy but it's done.

[digitalmom]

Had to take a break from proofing recipes for a cookbook our high school band is going to do as a fundraiser. I called Disney to add our 4th person on, luckily they still had room in that age group but then the guy at Disney said that the early seating for dinner was full and that is the seating that I want. He put me on hold, after a couple of minutes he got back on and said that they opened up a spot for our 4th and we still have the early dinner seating. I would have lived with late seating but we really, really prefer early. I also asked about switching down to a cat 6, to save some money and he said there were no cat 6 available that sleep 4 or much of anything else that will sleep 4 so I guess that I will stick with what I have. It seems that our cruise must be getting popular. I know that the price has gone up almost $2000.00 since I booked it.

[inkkognito]

Hey Chuck, it will be great to see you guys again! We'll definitely take you up on that drink offer :D It will be fun to get a good look at the Roy Suite. We snuck in there between cruises when we did three in a row for some photos and it was so beautiful. We will be easy to find, in my favorite 5650.

newhampshire4, isn't Priceline great?! We just love it...we can usually manage to get the Marriott for $28 too, and once we really lucked out and got the Renaissance for that price. The only complaint that I've ever had is that once they stuck us in a smoking room, but it really wasn't too smelly...and for the price I can't complain! It was less smoky than the supposed non-smoking room we got at the Evil LaQuinta. As a matter of fact, I think that we might be at the Marriott too. I'll have to doublecheck and if so, maybe we can say "hi."
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[newhampshire4]

After our Disneyland/California trip last year, I'm a huge Priceline fan :) We got a gorgeous resort in Indian Wells (Palm Springs) ($300 rooms) for $37/night and got the Marriott convention center hotel across from Disneyland for $34/night. Will probably do Priceline for our one night post-cruise, but ?? Dolphin & Swan HAD been coming up for $69 night, but according to another board (on Dis boards), Dolphin and Swan are not coming up lately and everyone seems to be getting the Hilton when bidding on Disney resorts. Does anyone know anything about the Hilton? We wouldn't be spending much time there other than sleeping, but like a room where we can actually sleep (funny you mention La Quinta- worst hotel experience in my life was a LaQuinta in Tampa... the room next to us was "open for business" allllll night. Of course the rest of my family was fast asleep and oblivious to it....:mad: )

[inkkognito]

We've bid on WDW resort level hotels three times now...once we got the Marriott, once the Gaylord Palms, and once either the Hyatt or Hilton...I don't remember which one it was, but it was within walking distance of Downtown Disney and also offered a free bus to the parks. The Gaylord also socks you with a big resort fee that is mandatory and is charged per night (I think it was around $10...what a rip). The one we stayed at near Downtown Disney had an optional fee, but we didn't do it...it was for stuff like drinks and a newspaper, which we didn't need. All of the hotels were very nice, but the Marriott doesn't have free transportation to Disney (you have to pay via Mears if you don't have a car)...the Gaylord's transportation was "included" in the resort fee.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[dizneykids]

We don't get in until 11pm the night before. We're driving on out to the Radisson when we get in (will only be 10pm our time) so we can sleep in Saturday morning. DH is a frequent flyer, so we're just cashing in his points.

[digitalmom]

We can't let this get on page 2. Need to go to work, yuck! Oh well it helps to pay for the cruise and the kids trips and high school band.

[NYdiscuisers]

How many of you are booked through Dreams? We are at the minimum limit for a gift basket and were wondering what the chances were that someone might cancel. (We are payed in full as of Monday.)

Things are starting to get finalized. Booked our airfare, reserved rental cars, and made plans for an apres cruise stop at Universal Islands of Adventure this past weekend.

[dizneykids]

the best chance for cancellations is 60 days out when everyone must pay off their balances. for us, that is march 24. if you haven't already, ask your TA to look for you on that day or call in that day and ask.

your odds depend on what category you are seeking to bump up to. good luck!

[newhampshire4]

We are booked directly through DCL ... guess AAA has a deal now that if you book with them, everyone in your group gets free soda mug deal, and 10% off gift shop or something like that... I don't think it's worth switching the reservation over at this point for that... I know how long it took DCL to finally straighten out the 50% off bit, and I don't want to risk dealing with that again should the discount go astray :P

[dizneykids]

...without a hitch, but then we've done this before with our AAA TA and our DCL reservationist (we have used the same woman at DCL for each of our cruises....we just call in and asked to be transferred to her). before we switched, we double checked with Debbie (at DCL) to ensure she wouldn't lose anything (they make no commission, she assured me) by our switching. in fact, she told me that she would make the switch if she were us just for the mug savings. now, we're in one of the cat 1s where our soda is replenished free of charge (BELIEVE ME, though, we pay for it!), but not having to duck downstairs to grab a soda when on deck at the pools or whatever is wonderful, especially with 3 boys who love to drink soda. now, if they'd only carry Dr. Pepper, my life would be complete!

Beth...what's the deal with 50%? were you on the cancelled cruise?

[dizneykids]

we've slipped to page 2 again! the boards are certainly busy today.

has anyone done any of the adult "back stage" tours on the ship? we haven't, except for the wine tasting, but am going to try some in may. would love to hear recommendations.

[sara]

We booked through Dreams. It seemed to be 7 rooms booked for a long time. But, when Barb and Tony joined us, the number went to 8. So, maybe we'll get lucky and get a stateroom gift!!!:D That would be so neat.
Newhampshire4, good job on Priceline. I have never tried it. But, the price is sure right. We'll be at the Radisson the night before, too, Dizneykids. We stayed there last time we cruised. It worked out fine.

Sara

[dizneykids]

sara....what is the deal with the gift basket? you are the second one to mention it.

[sara]

Dizneykids, if Dreams Unlimited has 8 clients (rooms) on a cruise, they give each room a "basket" of something. Kind of like a thank you. When we check our reservations on line, they tell us how many are currently booked. For those obsessed, like me, it's easy to keep track how many are currently booked! :D

Sara

[dizneykids]

okay....not having booked through them before, i had no idea what you were talking about! thanks for enlightening me!

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by dizneykids
...

Beth...what's the deal with 50%? were you on the cancelled cruise?

No, we were on the cruise two years ago that broke down and stuck in port with an electrical problem(St Thomas, but everyone had already boarded, and not knowing how long it would be delayed & another ship needing to get in, they manually moved us away from the docks). We were delayed 9 hours (more or less), so our day at Castaway got cancelled. They ended up flying in one of the original engineers of the ship who happened to be on vacation in Antigua. Of course they don't guarantee you'll make it to any island, but because it was a technical problem versus a weather related problem, they gave everyone on board 50% off a future cruise (not including taxes, insurance, transportation) to use within 3 years. Yes, we missed Castaway and it did get hot with no AC, but Disney did a great job of keeping everyone informed, throwing together a last minute deck party, lots of free conk (?) coolers flowing for the remainder of the cruise, last minute activities, etc...

[dizneykids]

that's amazing! we were on a cruise (fortunately, just me and dh) where the winds were so still and we were cruising so slowly that the exhaust system backed up into the main stacks and spread diesel fumes throughout midships. many (including me) were seriously ill. it started the night we left Freeport, and the smell was there (despite their trying to air the ship out) throughout the remainder of the cruise. i was absolutely miserable on castaway cay. the most we ever got was a lot of run-around and a "gosh, we're sorry that happened to you" letter afterwards.

disney is so incredibly inconsistent with their approach to problems on board.

[newhampshire4]

Well, the 50% off wasn't just handed out all that easily... there was a very vocal group on board who went to what was supposed to be the regularly scheduled Captains Q&A session... I wasn't there, but heard thare was a lot of yelling and crying going on :P The crew said they would talk to Disney. They made an announcement that it was 30% off future sailing. Well, that group called another meeting, one of them started a website (darn, wish I could remember the name of it) onboard using Disney's computers to make a Disney bashing site, blah, blah... they wanted a full refund (which was rediculous... ) the crew was going back and forth with Celebration and Disney made a final offer of 50% off for everyone. Sounded like a fair deal to me :)

[newhampshire4]

Seeing we are down to 81 days, need to start figuring out what exactly we are going to do for excursions if we are planning to do any of the Disney ones. Barb, I think I remember reading that you have done the jeep tour in Cozumel, right? Do you think this would be something a 14 & almost 12 year old would enjoy with us? What do they serve you for "Mexican lunch?"....
Also, I'm thinking you also need to book parasailing and banana boat at the 60 day point to..... are you actually booking specific times when you sign up for that now, too?

[digitalmom]

Sara,

Last night I went ahead and switched our cruise booking to Dreams from Disney. When I just checked the reservation to make sure everything was right I think the room total was now 9.

Suzanne

[sara]

Suzanne,
Glad to hear you booked with Dreams. Maybe we'll get a little surprise when we get to our rooms!!! :D I'm just going to be happy being on that boat!!! So, did everything work out for your kids and friend? It sure sounds like you are having one busy summer! Be sure to rest up on the cruise!!!! ;)
Sara

[dizneykids]

we got on the magic a year ago this saturday for our first 7-day cruise! within a week of returning, we had rebooked...but not until this may! waaaaaaaaaaa...........

how long has it been for the rest of y'all since you sailed? okay, barb....you don't need to rub it in!

[newhampshire4]

It will be 2 years and 1 month between sailings... MUCH too long (although we did get a Disneyland trip and a couple non-Disney trips in there, but still!). If we hadn't rebooked out April cruise, we'd be leaving sooner, but glad that it got changed for several reasons (including all the nice people on this board with us!).:p

[digitalmom]

Sara
Yes it looks like everything is going to work out. It's mainly the kids who will be busy but I guess my husband and I will be busy getting them to the airport and back and camp(for the younger one) and whatever else we have them do this summer. Wasn't life suppose to get easier the older they got........

The kids and I had our first cruise on Disney in March/April 2001 and then April 2002 on Carnival and now waiting for this one. Wish it were sooner, like Spring Break. I am tempted that if my husband doesn't give me his ideas for Spring Break to try and find an inexpensive cruise out of Florida for Spring Break but he wouldn't be real happy with that. But then again he could stay home and work. Husbands...no fun (at times):)

[kstelzner]

Can't let this get down too far!

I know we're getting close to our final payment, so I thought I'd ask.....

Is anyone in room #6616? I'm hoping to move closer to our other party. Any chance of you canceling or should I just hope for some other room?

Thanks!

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by kstelzner

Is anyone in room #6616? I'm hoping to move closer to our other party. Any chance of you canceling or should I just hope for some other room?


Don't know who might be in there, but they are going to be my next door neighbors :wave:

[digitalmom]

Nope, not us. We up on deck 7.

[dizneykids]

and we're on 8.

has anyone seen this week's copy of All Ears (Deb Wills' email newsletter)? it has a great article with tips for non-family groups going on the cruise together, including setting up a separate, private yahoo discussion group to share tips, info about each other, even post pictures so you can put names and faces together before the cruise. anyone else interested in doing this? i'd be happy to set it up.

[newhampshire4]

Has anyone actually received a "final payment" bill from Disney yet?

[digitalmom]

I got one from Dreams on Monday night saying my balance was due. Paying it next Friday, the 21st. A few days sooner than Disney but oh well. I really need to see about excusions. I want to try and do on our own, but with the tendering into Grand Cayman and needing to be back early, I am a little hesitant on that one.

[sara]

Hi everyone!!! :D

Wow, 71 days! Almost time to book excursions. Although, I still haven't decided on Cozumel. I'm leaning towards the Fury Cat. But, if my DD finds out there's a Dolphin Encounter and she didn't go on it...
:rolleyes:

kstelzner, we don't have that room either, but I hope it works out for you.

dizneykids, how nice of you to offer to start a web page. It sounds neat. I would love to visit it, BUT, I am computer illiterate! I leave posting pics up to my DH. It may be like pulling teeth to get him to do it. But, if you do start one, let me know!
It's been two years since we've been on the Wonder. I think Barb and Tony are on it now!!!!

digitalmom and everyone else...what excursions are you looking into?

Time to get back to housework, my parents are coming tonight.
:eek:

Sara

[kstelzner]

Key West - we're going to book through Disney the conch train, aquarium and museum tour.... seems like the thing to do with an 18 month old.

Cozumel - we're thinking of catching some kind of transportation to Chankanaab Park where me, DH, grandpa, and newphew will do the dolphin excursion and grandma and DD (18 mo) can wander around the park, wade in the ocean, etc. The cabs have me a bit worried... maybe there are big slow buses we can take?! How does Disney transport people there? We can't go through Disney as they won't take anyone under 3.

Grand Cayman - we're again probably not going through Disney as they won't take anyone under 3 to Stingray City. So we're looking at either Capt. Marvins or Capt. Dexter. Anyone done these?

CC - we'll just chill on the beach, but probably sign up for floats, snorkel equipment and maybe a kayak (for grandpa).

We'll check back with Disney on the room on the 24th, I suppose when it's the most likely that someone would be canceling. If not, how are the rooms that adjoin when you're not adjoining with someone you know.... can you hear them and can you just walk in to the other room? We're planning on paying next week (by credit card so really it isn't due until next month!)

[digitalmom]

Key West- We just going to do stuff on our own. One of the trolley tours, not sure which one yet. Try to see Hemingway's house and the cats and Truman's vacation White House.

Grand Cayman - Probably try to do the Stringrays, not sure if I want to book with Disney or try to do one of the others. On cruisecritic they talk of a whole bunch of people that do the Stringrays and it is kind of hard to sort them out. You get the one person loves who they used while the next person hated it.

Cozumel - Probably the beach and maybe something with the ruins.

Castaway Cay - A cabana massage!!! That is my only goal for Castaway Cay. On our first Disney cruise we couldn't dock at Castaway Cay(too windy) and I missed out on the massage, they would have done it on the boat, but in St. Thomas I had gotten too much sun and the massage would have probably really hurt so it was really for the best. But this time I am going to try and be good and not get sunburned so that I can have a massage on the beach.

And of course shopping at all the port. Need to get tee-shirts for my husband who is not coming and I like to get magnets and postcards from wherever we go.

[digitalmom]

kstelzner, if I remember right, I think on our first Disney cruise we had a stateroom that had a door to the one next to it. I don't believe that we could open it at all and I don't remember hearing much if any thing from the room. And I am sure that someone would have been in the room as the ship was pretty full that week.

dizneykids - thanks for the offer of doing a yahoo thing. it would be fun to try and "meet" each other before the cruise.

[digitalmom]

Went to get today's mail and guess what I got. I got an envelop from Disney that has shore excusion info in it. There is a booklet with some general information in it along with descriptions of the different excusions offered by Disney. There is a booklet of items(baskets, flowers, etc) that you can order to have in your room. There is also a shore excusion form with instructions on how to request your excusions. I told my 13 year old that I needed to really try and decide what we are doing in each port and whether we go thru Disney or do it on our own.

[newhampshire4]

Key West- Trolley tour on our own.. we'll just "wing it" there and see where we end up :)

Grand Cayman- Definitely Sting Ray City on our own.. undecided which company at this point

Cozumel - Probably jeep tour/ruins

Castaway- A couple of us will parasail, and maybe banana boat

:)

[newhampshire4]

Key West- Trolley tour on our own.. we'll just "wing it" there and see where we end up :)

Grand Cayman- Definitely Sting Ray City on our own.. undecided which company at this point

Cozumel - Probably jeep tour/ruins

Castaway- A couple of us will parasail, and maybe banana boat

:)

[digitalmom]

Time to bump up and get closer to 200 posts. Just found out my parents ordered their very first computer(a Dell). Now I will have to email them from the ship in addition to my husband. You can probably tell that I will more than likely sign up for the unlimited internet for the week, need to keep in touch with my husband.

[newhampshire4]

Wahoo.. got my final bill (not that I was looking forward to that), but meant that included excursion book and 60 days is quickly approaching. Also, got my Disney Visa card in the mail, so full of Disney surprises today :)

[sara]

How fun to get an excursions book. Wish I would get one! ;) It's hard to believe how fast time is going. The weather is starting to warm up here. And I'm ready for spring!!! :D

Sara

[jaxkong]

Great to see so many excited people ready to sail in May. This will be our second Disney cruise (Wonder last year) and first seven night. Will have two boys (ages 13 and 11) who are looking forward to meeting some peers.

Have read the dress codes for the fancier evenings, but would like to know from previous Magic sailors what exactly adults and pre-teens actually wear.

My wife and I can't wait to meet some of you all.:earsboy::earsgirl:

[dizneykids]

jax...i have a son who'll be turning 11 the week after the cruise.

as for dress...you'll see everything. personally, dh and i liked dressing up. got the boys (i have 3) into it (they wore suits and dh ordered a tux) by buying mickey bow ties for them to wear on formal nights. made for a really great family portrait! i wore either dressy pantsuits or a long dress (not a gown as i couldn't find "just the right thing!").

you can go as fancy or as dressed down (short of jeans) and still fit in.

[newhampshire4]

Welcome aboard!
I think the best way to describe what I observed was to call it "wedding attire" :) There were some who went a bit more formal, and some who went very casual (there was a family one table over who wore shorts to dinner every night but they stood out).... but basically if you, spouse, or kids would wear it to a wedding, it will work ;) My husband also wore a Mickey tie on semi-formal night, and the other man at our table wore a Mr.Potatohead tie that evening, so have fun with it :)

[digitalmom]

Sara,

Just looked at www.cruisecritic.com and under their ports of call and then Grand Cayman there were some recent reports from crusisers who had just used Nativeway and they had nothing but good to day about them. There were 3 separate posts from people, including a Rhonda that just got back from a cruise. So this does look like it was the way to go. Very small groups of people. One of the posters said that there were only their group of 5 on the boat as the others who booked that time didn't show up. Got an email back from Nativeway Monday night and so we are set.

Suzanne

[newhampshire4]

So who is booked on what for Stingray City...?? Decisions, decisions!

[dizneykids]

We booked directly with Capt. Bryan's for the morning. We have to be there by 8:30. We went with Capt. Bryan's because that outfit has a catamaran, and our boys wanted to do one again after having done the catamaran in St. Maarten.

The only other excursion we're booking is the Tulun Ruins for dh. The boys and I are planning to head for Mr. Sancho's on Minigolf Sally's recommendation in Cozumel. Anyone want to join us?

[newhampshire4]

I was looking at Captain Bryan's, too... because of the catamaran... but their email said they use a catamaran as well as another....

"We have two boats and they are ; (1) "Hannibal", which is a beautiful 50 ft
Sailing Trimaran, 27 ft wide with two trampolines, large sun deck, shaded
back deck and bathroom facility.
(2) "Sweet Alison" is a 40ft Snorkel boat with large shaded back deck, swim
platform, large fly bridge, ladder for snorkelers and bathroom facility."


Did they say you would definitely get the Hannibal?

[inkkognito]

As 5/24 gets closer, I have only one complaint...the 7-day cruises really spoil me and then the 3-day Wonder trips seem to go by even faster than usual (if such a thing is possible).
I'm wondering if we will get our docs. for May before we leave for our Easter weekend trip. We often have two sets of docs. floating around the house, and I've been known to fill out the wrong ones. Thankfully, I've always caught my error!
We're still up in the air about shore excursions...way too many good choices.
Think spring...May is really just around the corner!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[NYdiscuisers]

Hey dizneykids,
We are also booked w/ Capt Bryan's for the morning Stingray City tour. We are then going to do the Honeysuckle Farms horseback riding...busy day!

Beth,
There was nothing in our confirmation from Capt Bryan's that said what boat we would get. I'm sure you could ask them.

Nothing else booked yet for us

[dizneykids]

NYdiscruisers:
I've sent an email to Capt. Bryan's asking them to confirm that we will be on the Hannibal, their triamaran. My boys really want to be on that vs. their boat. The emails back and forth with them when I booked led me to believe we would be on the triamaran, but after the posts yesterday, I decided it wouldn't hurt to check. I'll post when I hear back from them.

dizneykids...aka the other Beth!

[dizneykids]

Okay....I've set up a private Yahoo groups site for us to get to know one another better in a less public forum. Entry to the site is by invitation only in order to keep it private to those in our sailing.

Please send me an email with the email address to which you'd like me to send an invitation if you would like to join our group. I'm going to start later today by posting a picture of my family and the packing list Audrey sent me.

Hope to hear from each of you and see you in our private group!

dizneykids (aka the other Beth!)

[sara]

dizneykdis, just sent you a pm! Thanks for setting up the site.

digitalmom, glad there are good reports on Nativeway. We know there will be at least 8 on our boat! Should be a good time.

Come on May!!!! :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc :Pinkbounc

Sara

[digitalmom]

dizneykids, I have also sent you a PM. Thanks.

Suzanne

[newhampshire4]

I sent a message, too... and please let me know what Captan Bryan's has to say ... I really would like the catamaran, but if they can't guarantee, we might go with the other outfit that has the 4 hour trip.

[dizneykids]

sending invite after this post.

i received a message from javid at capt. bryan's. he responded that the Hannibal (triamaran) is scheduled for the morning trip on 5/27. want to join us?

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by dizneykids


i received a message from javid at capt. bryan's. he responded that the Hannibal (triamaran) is scheduled for the morning trip on 5/27. want to join us?


I believe we will :)

[dizneykids]

we've slipped to page 2 again!

Monday's payment day, right? Yikes! we are getting close :Pinkbounc

anyone else want to join us on our yahoo groups 5/24 sailing site? just email or pm me.

[dizneykids]

We have set up a private Yahoo groups site where we can get to know one another before setting sail in roughly 60 days. I've already posted some pics of us and am hoping others will do the same so we can put DIS nicknames, faces and real-life names together.

Care to join us? Here's the link... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/may24dclmagic/

Didn't mean to single you out, but you are the only one on this thread that I couldn't email or pm...hope to see you there!

[digitalmom]

Can't let us get to page 3, even if it is near the top of page 3!

[newhampshire4]

Just made my final payment :) I ended up putting the whole thing on the new Disney Visa card to get the $50 onboard credit, and they will credit my initial deposit back to the other Visa.

[dizneykids]

made our payment today as well....NOW it's time to get serious!

[kstelzner]

Thanks for the heads up on Yahoo. I just signed up and awaiting activation. Now, I have to go take an updated family picture to post!!!

Any clue on how many people canceled with final payment being due? Just wondering what my chances are of getting the room I wanted.

[newhampshire4]

Was on the phone with DCL excursion desk at 8:02 AM and was on hold for about 6 or 7 minutes... was wondering how many of you beat me to it at 8AM this morning ;) Anyway, got our Cozumel jeep safari, parasailing, and banana boats all booked. The sheet said parasailing started at 10:30, but she said they had a 9:30 available, so I took that (for myself and 14 year old). Figured I would get her out on the first boat so that she wouldn't chicken out:smooth: right, Britt? Hopefully conditions will warrant us going tandem. Wahoo :) I think the only thing left to do (well, besides shop and pack!) is to figure out is one more hotel night... :)

[digitalmom]

Beth,

I must have gotten Disney at a good time, I don't think I was on hold even a minute. Went ahead and booked the Tulum Ruins for Cozumel, knowing that I can change my mind up to 2 days until the cruise. I am so indecisive about doing the ruins. Also booked the banana boat at 10:30 for my 13 year old and the 10:30 parasailing for the other 2 on Castaway Cay. If only they could book the cabana massages on Castaway Cay ahead of time.

[NYdiscuisers]

We (DW and I) both got through at about 7:59am without a wait. We wanted to get the dolphin discovery in Cozumel since we were too late to book on our own back in Feb. (Our girls would have been disappointed if we didn't do this one!) We booked for 10:20am so we could do the dolphins and then have the rest of the day to enjoy Chankanaab.

So we've got stingrays and horses in Grand Cayman and dolphins in Cozumel...anyone notice a theme :)

Paul

[kstelzner]

To NYdiscuisers...

What do you mean it was too late to book on your own back in Feb? Are they all booked? I'll send a reservation request and see what happens. We're interested in the Dolphin Encounter.

[NYdiscuisers]

We tried to book on our own back in Feb. There was only one time slot available (2:30pm I think), but it was full and we went on a waiting list. We think that the cruise ships must book all the other slots because Disney has three different time slots available. So I'd call Disney, if you are interested. You can always cancel later.

Paul

[kstelzner]

What a morning!!!! Thank goodness our little one is taking a long nap while I get all this done.

Booked with Tiffany Towncar (a van) from/to Hyatt MCO to the port, pick up time of 10:30am, asked for Jerry, and requested a stop at a grocery store. Hopefully that'll get us to the port in time.

Booked our Disney shore excursions.... the Conch Train tour & Museum package and booked the Dolphin encounter since NYdiscuisers said it was sold out booking privately. We will fax our reservation in privately and see what happens, but it's thru Disney for now. Grandma and our daughter can catch a cab to the park on their own (this is making me nervous though.... what if we never see them again?).

Our TA called this morning and got a room across from our other party, so praise! However, it is a connecting room, but TA said it's not noisey or intrusive. We're now in 6612.

And finally (whew, what a day) I email Nativeway for a reservation. Just asked them about our 18 month old and life jackets and then we'll book with them.

[digitalmom]

kstelzner, are you going to try and do Nativeway in the morning or the afternoon? If you get the morning you will be with sara and family and me and boys.

Suzanne

[dizneykids]

what is nativeway? i keep seeing that word.

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by kstelzner


Our TA called this morning and got a room across from our other party, so praise! However, it is a connecting room, but TA said it's not noisey or intrusive. We're now in 6612.



So, you connect with 6614... heard those the noisiest people on the entire ship ;)
Your baby's not a screamer, is she??... we like to sleep late... :smooth: Howdy neighbor!

[kstelzner]

digitalmom.... we're shooting for the morning since DD needs to nap in the afternoon, so it looks like we'll be with you (if we get confirmed)! i'll let you know when it's official

dizneykids.... Nativeway is a company that takes you out to Stingray City and other snorkel spots. Their website is www.nativewaywatersports.com

newhampshire4... howdy neighbor! This will be our 2nd vacation with our DD. First was to Williamsburg and she did beautifully, not crying at all at night. I'm sure she'll do fine with this trip as well. It's when we return home when we'll have to get her back into her own room without us that'll be the nightmare. Of course, our old room #6626 is now open if you prefer not a connecting, but we will be considerate of our neighbors... promise!

[newhampshire4]

Originally posted by kstelzner
Of course, our old room #6626 is now open if you prefer not a connecting, but we will be considerate of our neighbors... promise!

Just giving you a hard time ;)
Actually, we had connecting rooms last cruise, and never heard anything from either side of us or hallways.. very quiet! ...and I promise you, we are not loud ones in the least!
BTW, your room must have been filled quickly, because I checked yesterday and again late this afternoon to see if anything else had opened up closer to midship. Yesterday, there wasn't anything. Today, the only open room with verandah was cat 5, deck 7 (and it was only 2 or 3 rooms more toward midship than what we have, and more $, so stayed where we are!).

[kstelzner]

Originally posted by newhampshire4
BTW, your room must have been filled quickly, because I checked yesterday and again late this afternoon to see if anything else had opened up closer to midship. Yesterday, there wasn't anything. Today, the only open room with verandah was cat 5, deck 7 (and it was only 2 or 3 rooms more toward midship than what we have, and more $, so stayed where we are!).

Are you a family of 4? Maybe that's why. Because I show that our old cabin is available and also 6600 which is more midship, but we didn't take it because it's further from our other party.

[CaliforniaMom]

Hi Beth - I booked the 9:30 parasailing too! (but I didn't call until 7:30 am PST) Bill and I will try to go tandem... we can give each other encouragement (translate: don't let me chicken out!). Maybe you can be the one on the boat that I trust with my camera...;) and we can do the same for you...
But, I forgot about booking a banana boat ride; Monica and I loved it last time. I'll have to try to book it tomorrow. The only other thing I booked is the Ocean View Explorer on Cozumel - so Monica can hopefully see the coral life she has been studying.

Also made sure our TA called in our credit card number (more airline miles!) I had no reason to worry, but just in case... When the CM came back and said "paid in full", I said, well now we just have to pack :p

Woo Hoo! :bounce:

[newhampshire4]

Audrey... that's GREAT that you got the 9:30, too. There is no way that I would get Lindsay up there to parasail, so it will just be me & Britt. Bill (my Bill) was bummed they couldn't be in the boat to watch Brittany screaming, but figures he will hear her miles away ;) He said we definitely had to bring the video camera for someone else to capture the moment.. lol! All four of us are booked on the banana boat ride for 2pm. With not having made it to Castaway, was unsure on what to do for timing, so just guessed!?!

kstelzner (sorry, if you gave us your first name, I can't find it).. yes, we are a family of 4 which must be the reason that there was only other room to switch to.. didn't think of the 3 versus 4 in those rooms.

[digitalmom]

Bump! Went ahead and got a Fodor's book which includes a big section on Cozumel so that maybe I can make up my mind on what to do.

[kstelzner]

Need help from those who booked with Nativeway... am I doing something wrong? I've sent them two emails and no response. Maybe this isn't a good sign. The email I've been using for them is: nativway@candw.ky. Can anyone suggest something? Thanks!

[digitalmom]

I just looked at my email from them and you do have the right email. People on cruisecritic have said that the lady(Sharon) at Nativeway can sometimes be a little slow in responding to email. Several people said that they had to send her several emails or that it did take awhile to get a response. Someone else thought that she may only respond to email on Mondays. I emailed her on Saturday and she emailed me back on Monday night. Maybe give her a couple more days and then try again. Sorry I wasn't more help. Hope you get thru to Nativeway and can join us.

[dizneykids]

sounds like we may all be going on different providers, but we'll see each other out with the stingrays! i worry about how crowded it'll be, but no one has ever complained about it, so i guess it's nothing to worry about.

i can't wait! it sounds like such a unique excursion.

[digitalmom]

Bump! Here it is David.

[dizneykids]

david? do we have a new cruiser?

[digitalmom]

It looks like it, I was looking at the posts and saw a May 24 Western - Roll Call post and so I responsed and bumped ours up so that he could find it easier.

[djs113]

Whew .... found you guys!

New Disney Cruising Family of 4 here!

Can't wait to meet all of you on the trip!!

Help.... haven't read all the posts yet! what excursions do you guys recommend with kids 3 and 7...

Do you book thru Disney or thru an outside company

Can't wait to read thru all these posts tonight!!!

- David

[sara]

Welcome David and family! Happy reading!
;) Some of us have been waiting years (almost) for this cruise.

kstelzner, did naiveway get back to you? I remember waiting awhile for the email, too.

Time to pack! :p Not really, but I have started to think about it! :D

Sara

[CaliforniaMom]

Glad to have you "aboard", David. We have gotten into pin trading also, but only on our first cruise. I have a feeling our pin collection pales in comparison to yours. But it will be fun.

Sara, I just thought about starting to pack today - mostly out of my own excitement, but I know what that will do to my kids, so I'll just have to control myself! :D

Hey Beth (from NH)! I also booked the 2pm banana boat ride for Monica and me. That is the same time we did it last time, and it was perfect timing - just as the heat was getting to be a bit much, we got a refresher in the ocean. And then we were done just in time for a conch cooler (and milkshakes for the kids)!

To everyone - we will get around eventually to posting pics, just haven't taken the time (and I need DH to do it...)

[dizneykids]

david...your nickname is familiar to me. perhaps we've even traded once or twice. i haven't traded in ages, but still have quite the collection and will be bringing pins to trade aboard and at wdw afterwards.

as for recommendations for excursions, it really depends how adventurous your kids are. our youngest was 3 last spring when we took him and his older brothers on a catamaran ride in st. maarten. he was initially apprehensive (but not terribly so), but warmed up to the fun after i coaxed him into my lap. after about 10 min. of that, he was crawling all over the webbing trying to get splashed as we crashed over the waves.

as for booking with disney or booking on your own, we've booked on our own the last two cruises (and this one) as we've found that disney is (1) more expensive and (2) has an age limit on many of the more interesting excursions that doesn't include 3yo, and it is a disney-imposed restriction, not the carrier's.

[dizneykids]

anyone else having problems with DIS tonight? for the past couple days, i've been seeing some html code at the top of some of the pages. i just posted a note on this thread and got an entire page of html instead of seeing my note posted. it looks like my note never did make it.