The McSparklesons are BACK and they are CRUISIN! COMPLETE 10/4

[lauren_elizabeth]

Okay, I just read this whole trip from beginning to your latest update and I am now convinced that we need to do a Disney Cruise next year!!!!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

All caught up! Traveling with the Mcsparklesons is fun!! . Definitely digging the DOTD concept.

I have never been on a cruise before so am really enjoying your perspective. Thanks for being honest that you CAN feel the ship move and can see it in your wine glass!

 

[karajeboo]

Okay, I just read this whole trip from beginning to your latest update and I am now convinced that we need to do a Disney Cruise next year!!!!

I think I should be getting a kickback from DCL. I have a good friend who booked her first cruise the day we got back! And another that is working on her DH right now..... not to mention JEFF steering me away from RCCL and back to DCL for our next cruise! And we haven't even gotten to our first port yet! You are an easy one to convice, huh?

All caught up! Traveling with the Mcsparklesons is fun!! . Definitely digging the DOTD concept.

I have never been on a cruise before so am really enjoying your perspective. Thanks for being honest that you CAN feel the ship move and can see it in your wine glass!

Yeah, I was cursing a few people that first night...... You CAN feel it, and our seas were smooth as glass. BUT now that I know what is normal, I am fine and will do it again and again and again! But for someone with crazy anxiety like me, to be told "you can't even feel it" was way wrong.

I've seen a couple youtube videos of really rough seas, one was on the Magic, and watching it felt like watching an episode of Deadliest Catch! It was THAT rough to the point that the outside decks were CLOSED!!! I don't care how "safe" that ship is, I'd still be under covers in my cabin scared to death......

 

[karajeboo]

After Ally's tummy problems, we decided to call it a night shortly after dinner, and head back to our cabin.

This is one thing we are trying differently next cruise, no late dinner seating. I really liked the idea, that we didn't have to rush after days in port, we could take our time getting ready for dinner each day, but that's really not true. At least not if you want to catch the shows, because if you have late dinner seating, then your showtime is the same as the early dinner seating. So you don't save any time at all.

And by eating so late, we were so stuffed that we were sleepy right after dinner, and the thought of going "out" was just too much.....

Yeah, those wild McSparklesons needed their "eatin pants" so they could just stretch out that elastic and keep going......

Plus, two days of fun in the sun all day, and we needed to hit the hay early for our first port the next morning. I'm not gonna kid you, I was really excited to see land......

As usual, I was rocked to sleep by Captain John. Wait, that didn't sound quite right..... just don't tell Jeff, but Captain John really rocked my world! So much so that he put me to sleep almost right away!!!!

The next morning, it was barely light when I rolled over and found Jeff gone again. That man just cannot sleep in on vacation! He was gone, somewhere up on deck watching us come into St Maarten. My camera was gone so I figured he'd gone all Ansel Adams on me.....

All I know is that he came back with coffee......

I went out on the balcony and saw this......

St Maarten sunrise - VIDEO

And of course I LOVE to watch the other ships, it's kind of like circling the airport and watching all the other planes coming in to land.... well, except that we are on water and not in the air......

Now one thing I discovered, on this my very first cruise..... arriving in port is both beautiful, and not so much. As you first glimpse the island, it is breathtaking, until you get a bit closer and realize that this is a working port. They are receiving more than just excited Americans on cruise ships.

They are also receiving milk from Wisconsin, beef from Kansas City, corn from Nebraska, etc..... but this port is not just for tourists, which explains all the containers and the not so pretty barges you see out at sea, waiting for the goofballs with Mickey ears to debark so they can come in and complete business......

We quickly got showered so we could touch land again.... and poor Ally once again was terrified that we would embarass her. OK, so I told her I was going to kiss the ground when we got off the ship, is that so wrong????

Actually, because Jeff and I had decided to check out Orient Beach, and we read that this is very EUROPEAN, being on the FRENCH side of the island, we thought we'd leave Ally on the ship and come back and get her later.

So we dropped her off at the Oceaneer's Lab and the first thing Lise said when she saw Ally was, "Oh, look, it's our DIS kid!" Now either ALLY made herself known, or DISboards is that well known!

OK, here's my take on St Maarten. It is divided right down the middle between the French side (on the north) and the Dutch side (on the south). Our port, in Phillipsburg, was on the Dutch side, at the southernmost point of St Maarten.

There ya go.... Geography 101 from Karajeboo U. You are officially a graduate.

I reserved a Jeep Wrangler convertible for the day from Panoramic Car Rental. I found this place on www.everythingstmaarten.com and it came highly recommended. They advised to stay away from national car rental agencies in the Caribbean because they were not supported by the chain and they were known for ripping off tourists. Well.......

When I made the reservation, they said they would drop the car off at the port, since they did not have a place on site. Well........

We wandered around near the car rental huts. Yes, huts, as they were all side by side by side, just outside the port. And no sign of Panoramic. So I asked someone and they said, "Who?" Well.......

So we walked to the entrance to the port and asked the guard. He said, that they would bring the car to us, and we just needed to wait there. Well.....

So we waited.... and waited... and waited. No sign of Panoramic.

So I headed back to one of the huts, Rodeal Rental, and told them we had been stood up. I told them I would NOT pay any more than what I was quoted by Panoramic but I would rent from them if they'd match the price.

See, I'm the master negotiator in my family. Sort of. I like to THINK I'm the master negotiator in my family.

But I got a 4 door Jeep convertible for $10 more than the 2 door I was quoted by Panoramic. So I was happy. The whole transaction took about 5 minutes and we were out the door.

And I highly recommend paying the extra $30 for the insurance on the vehicle. I worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for 3 1/2 years, and while I never take the additional coverage when renting locally (it's purely a moneymaker for the car rental companies), I always take it if I'm unsure of an area, or I'm only renting for a day...... It's worth it to be able to turn in the car and walk away, without involving your insurance company and having to pay the deductible on the spot.

And let's just say I was VERY unsure of this area, and while Jeff was the only one who drove, we were both white knuckling it several times.....

Our friends gave us a map and walked around the car with us, took the top off, and off we went!

Now for a little Sociology 101..... the people of St Maarten are true Caribbean people. Full of personality and so friendly.... I have been to Jamaica twice and St Maarten reminds me so much of that area in the way the people behave. Love them!!!

They have the same "No problem" attitude. Like when we asked for directions to Orient Beach. They outlined the directions on the map, and told us to follow the main road. And then we discovered.....

NO STREET SIGNS!!!!

So we followed traffic. Because on the map, the main road would indeed lead us to Orient Beach, yet the "main" road, was the equivalent of an alley to Americans......

And it was hilly. Or mountainous. OK, if you are from Colorado, it was hilly. When you have spent the last 3 years living in Florida, it was mountainous. And Jeff was not digging driving.

I, on the other hand, was having a ball!!!!!

Beef, it's what's for dinner.....Hmmmm, guess they don't need that ship from Kansas City after all! Not that the ship comes all the way from Kansas City, I hear the port there is too small....

More Sociology 101. St Maarten is a very poor country, but because of the people, your heart doesn't ache for them. Again reflecting on my time in Jamaica, the attitude is "I wake up to blue sky and blue seas right outside my door, what's to worry about?" As long as they have food for their next meal, they are happy.

They don't worry about their 401K, or planning their next vacation. They don't aspire to that house on the hill, or a country club membership. They have their families, and their health, and food on the table. We could learn a lot from people in the Caribbean.

But you are graduates of Karajeboo U so you are some edumacated folks!!!

Up next, Where's Waldo? Orient Bay Beach and Phillipsburg......

 

[lauren_elizabeth]

I think I should be getting a kickback from DCL. I have a good friend who booked her first cruise the day we got back! And another that is working on her DH right now..... not to mention JEFF steering me away from RCCL and back to DCL for our next cruise! And we haven't even gotten to our first port yet! You are an easy one to convice, huh?

Yes ma'am! I've always wanted to take a cruise and I think a Disney cruise would be AH-MA-ZING!

Feel free to give me any tips on what itinerary you think would be best, what stateroom to book... ANYTHING!

 

[Beth D]

It's only been about 2 weeks since we booked, and I'm hooked on the DIS boards and TR's, especially when they are Eastern Magic trips!

Hey, I'm also a little CDO (true obsessive compulsives know that everything MUST be in alphabetical order)

I'm sailing on the Magic Eastern next February 2012, and looking at everything.

Gotta go back and read the whole thread now...

Beth

 

[marhs]

... but this port is not just for tourists, which explains all the containers and the not so pretty barges you see out at sea, waiting for the goofballs with Mickey ears to debark so they can come in and complete business......

Okay, you have me rolling in hysterics! Such a sight. These hardworking guys on these barges rolling their eyes and looking at their watches as the Mickey ears folks leave the fancy ship, all smiles and decked out in Disney garb, wide eyes and completely oblivious to the fact that these guys have work to do! I just can't stop laughing! Love your writing and can't wait to read MORE!!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yeah, I was cursing a few people that first night...... You CAN feel it, and our seas were smooth as glass. BUT now that I know what is normal, I am fine and will do it again and again and again! But for someone with crazy anxiety like me, to be told "you can't even feel it" was way wrong.

I've seen a couple youtube videos of really rough seas, one was on the Magic, and watching it felt like watching an episode of Deadliest Catch! It was THAT rough to the point that the outside decks were CLOSED!!! I don't care how "safe" that ship is, I'd still be under covers in my cabin scared to death......

Moi? You were cursing Moi? Okay I'll forgive you - aren't you glad I lied to you? I guess when someone is nervous, they might notice a little something Now the rough seas, that is a different story - but you get used to that too - we had a day where the pool was closed due to whitecaps for awhile once.

I don't know how I missed the rest of your Animator's dinner. Great pics of the action. Sorry Ally wasn't feeling well - so happy you were rocked to sleep

Great sunrise pics!
Jeff was brave indeed to drive - we saw an accident with a rental on one of those windy roads in St. Thomas and Jim said, "see - that's why you don't want to be renting here!" I'm sure most times it is perfectly fine though.

We stayed on the dutch side of St. Maarten - we were chicken! I supposed you marched right down the beach wearing only your sparkly ears!!! St. Maarten was so amazing - our first caribbean island ever. IKWYM about the people - all that sunshine must make one in a happy mood for sure. Looking forward to the rest of your day!

 

[jenseib]

So did you ever contact the other car rental place? Did you pay upfront..and get refunded?

 

[TopRowSeat]

Ditch RCCL and do the June 2nd 8-day DCL out of NYC with us! We'll get you to do more activities (tequila tasting!) during the at sea days and you'll convince us to spend more time chilling in the sun. Between the two of us we'll have a great vacation (and have a heck of a lot of fun).

 

[karajeboo]

Yes ma'am! I've always wanted to take a cruise and I think a Disney cruise would be AH-MA-ZING!

Feel free to give me any tips on what itinerary you think would be best, what stateroom to book... ANYTHING!

We loved the Eastern, and I'm a little sad that we are doing a Western next. The landscape of the Eastern ports is just so pretty as you are coming in. The mountains are surely a prettier sight than the flat of the Western islands, but we shall see!

As much as I loved having a balcony, I can't say I really enjoyed it that much. I just did not really use it? Maybe in the mornings for a few minutes? But we have an inside stateroom booked for our next cruise, so this snob is going to be roughing it! But for over $1000 between the two categories, I don't think I will miss the balcony. Again, we shall see!

It's only been about 2 weeks since we booked, and I'm hooked on the DIS boards and TR's, especially when they are Eastern Magic trips!

Hey, I'm also a little CDO (true obsessive compulsives know that everything MUST be in alphabetical order)

I'm sailing on the Magic Eastern next February 2012, and looking at everything.

Gotta go back and read the whole thread now...

Beth

You will love it!!! And fyi, you WILL feel the motion of the ocean... and I'm talking about the ship itself........

Okay, you have me rolling in hysterics! Such a sight. These hardworking guys on these barges rolling their eyes and looking at their watches as the Mickey ears folks leave the fancy ship, all smiles and decked out in Disney garb, wide eyes and completely oblivious to the fact that these guys have work to do! I just can't stop laughing! Love your writing and can't wait to read MORE!!!!!

I was just worried about my ears blowing off in the wind as I came down the gangplank!!!!

Moi? You were cursing Moi? Okay I'll forgive you - aren't you glad I lied to you? I guess when someone is nervous, they might notice a little something Now the rough seas, that is a different story - but you get used to that too - we had a day where the pool was closed due to whitecaps for awhile once.

I don't know how I missed the rest of your Animator's dinner. Great pics of the action. Sorry Ally wasn't feeling well - so happy you were rocked to sleep

Great sunrise pics!
Jeff was brave indeed to drive - we saw an accident with a rental on one of those windy roads in St. Thomas and Jim said, "see - that's why you don't want to be renting here!" I'm sure most times it is perfectly fine though.

We stayed on the dutch side of St. Maarten - we were chicken! I supposed you marched right down the beach wearing only your sparkly ears!!! St. Maarten was so amazing - our first caribbean island ever. IKWYM about the people - all that sunshine must make one in a happy mood for sure. Looking forward to the rest of your day!

I would never curse you Tammie!!! Well, not out loud anyway..... but you weren't the only one who ever told me, "you won't even know you're on a ship." Everyone said it!!!! Bunch of LIARS!!!! All of you!

The driving wasn't that bad, really. We never went above 40mph I don't think, and at least we were driving on the right side of the road (St Thomas they drive on the LEFT!).

As for St Maarten. Eh, no big deal on the French side. Yeah, we saw a few things we didn't really want to see, but it didn't bother us. After all, it's not anything I haven't seen before! And really there was only one spot on the beach, and one thing I've learned between St Maarten and Jamaica, is that those choosing to sunbathe nude are much more courteous than those in the itty bitty suits that might as well be nude, kwim? And they kept to themselves, and left the family side of the beach alone..... unlike the "gawkers" who totally invaded the naked side of the beach......

So did you ever contact the other car rental place? Did you pay upfront..and get refunded?

Nope, we did not pay up front and I never even bothered to confront them. Cause I'm so shy and nonconfrontational and all.....

Ditch RCCL and do the June 2nd 8-day DCL out of NYC with us! We'll get you to do more activities (tequila tasting!) during the at sea days and you'll convince us to spend more time chilling in the sun. Between the two of us we'll have a great vacation (and have a heck of a lot of fun).

Steve Steve Steve Steve Steve....... Please speak with your lovely bride..... we have already booked the Magic again next year over Spring Break. As much as I'd LOVE to hang out with you guys on our next cruise.... I just don't know if you could keep up with us??? I mean, we are talking about sitting in the adult pool for at least an hour..... can you do that? It might even involve a bevvie or two. Then a nap on deck? Seriously? Can you keep up? We even eat..... more than once.... in a whole afternoon..... It requires a whole lot of preplanning on our part. I just don't know if I could carry you through a whole day of McSparkleson cruising......

 

[MEK]

Kara - I had no idea you were writing a cruise TR. I'm half way through and you are just cracking me up left and right. Seriously, I can totally relate to the whole swaying thing and the "moo". Oh yeah - I mooed my way through my first cruise.

It looks like you are having a blast. Looking forward to going back and reading more.

 

[DisneyFanDC]

Yours is my first cruise TR -- we are taking our first Disney cruise in April, and I'm so enjoying reading about your experience (I'm even taking notes on all your good tips!).

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I just loved St.Maartin, didn't make it to the French side. All I seemed to do was shop, went with another couple & they don't like to do the things that we do. At least they are our best friends!

Don't care that much for Jamaica, it can be a uneasy place to be, not everyone is so friendly. I'm sure with all of your McSparkleson magic the Jamaicans are wowed by your presence!

 

[999ghostslover]

OH NO!!!!! Ya know, I was thinking about you and wondering how it went. I never heard back from you or I was ready to attack your parents' car!!!!

What happened that he was in the hospital and is he better now???

He had rotavirus. It is a gastro thing. He was severely dehydrated acidodic and had low blood sugar. It was scary. I wrote up a thing about it on the podcast forum. Just go to podcast discussion and look for "self fulfilling prophesy" Loving your updates! You crack me up. Can't wait for our cruise now and no one better get sick or they are getting tossed overboard!!

 

[KristiMc]

Love the pictures that you took as we were approaching St. Maarten. We were already docked when we woke up.

 

[rndmr2]

Found your DCL TR from the DisMom's TR. Sounds like you are having a great time so far. I have been on several cruises and I always get the motion sickness patch, I actually don't know if I would get sick or not but I'm afraid to take the chance. St Maarten is beautiful, can't wait to hear more.

 

[Beth D]

All caught up now! I gotta see this thing through to the end!

I love the way you write! It's the way me and DH think, but we get in trouble for saying it out loud sometimes!

One question though? What is the difference between the Mickey (cesspool) and the other kids pool? (besides the pee temperature of course!)

DS will be turning 7 on our cruise next year, and he is a shark! If we could leave him in a pool all day he would let us.

While my parents will be cruising with us and we may be able to sneak over to the adult pool some (maybe enjoy a nice DOTD or 4 on the way) I forsee us spending mucho time in the kiddie area.

 

[karajeboo]

Kara - I had no idea you were writing a cruise TR. I'm half way through and you are just cracking me up left and right. Seriously, I can totally relate to the whole swaying thing and the "moo". Oh yeah - I mooed my way through my first cruise.

It looks like you are having a blast. Looking forward to going back and reading more.

It's so funny how you just magically find a TR that you never knew about! I wish I had the time to read them all, it's just so much fun!!!!

Yours is my first cruise TR -- we are taking our first Disney cruise in April, and I'm so enjoying reading about your experience (I'm even taking notes on all your good tips!).

OK, get out your notebook, there will be a new update soon!!!

I just loved St.Maartin, didn't make it to the French side. All I seemed to do was shop, went with another couple & they don't like to do the things that we do. At least they are our best friends!

Don't care that much for Jamaica, it can be a uneasy place to be, not everyone is so friendly. I'm sure with all of your McSparkleson magic the Jamaicans are wowed by your presence!

Oh, Mother of Wicket...... it is true that Jamaica can be a bit of an unsavory place..... but those that work at the resorts and hotels, having landed the top jobs in the country, are so lucky to have those jobs, and I just love that they never complain about going home to thier little one room shack.... on the beach. And I'll admit, I don't like the drive to the airport, it scares me driving through some of those little towns, but overall, I still like them all.

He had rotavirus. It is a gastro thing. He was severely dehydrated acidodic and had low blood sugar. It was scary. I wrote up a thing about it on the podcast forum. Just go to podcast discussion and look for "self fulfilling prophesy" Loving your updates! You crack me up. Can't wait for our cruise now and no one better get sick or they are getting tossed overboard!!

That IS scary!!! But you know what that means, right? DO OVER!!!!!

Love the pictures that you took as we were approaching St. Maarten. We were already docked when we woke up.

We had to get up early every morning..... cause we were so busy throughout the day ya know..... Actually, it was Jeff. On every vacation he is the first one up. When I finally open my eyes I'm usually greeted with, "time's a wastin......"

Found your DCL TR from the DisMom's TR. Sounds like you are having a great time so far. I have been on several cruises and I always get the motion sickness patch, I actually don't know if I would get sick or not but I'm afraid to take the chance. St Maarten is beautiful, can't wait to hear more.

I was never worried about being sea "sick." It was the sea "scared" I was worried about, and I don't think they make a patch for that.....

All caught up now! I gotta see this thing through to the end!

I love the way you write! It's the way me and DH think, but we get in trouble for saying it out loud sometimes!

One question though? What is the difference between the Mickey (cesspool) and the other kids pool? (besides the pee temperature of course!)

DS will be turning 7 on our cruise next year, and he is a shark! If we could leave him in a pool all day he would let us.

While my parents will be cruising with us and we may be able to sneak over to the adult pool some (maybe enjoy a nice DOTD or 4 on the way) I forsee us spending mucho time in the kiddie area.

The Mickey pool is about 2 inches deep.... okay, maybe a little deeper, I'd say 18" to 2 feet? It is definitely a toddler pool. Even Ally complained about it yesterday when talking to her orthodontist - "I didn't like the Mickey pool but we had to go in there when we came down the slide...... It was yellow." The Goofy pool is 4 feet deep so for a little one, they need to be able to swim. Well, as much swimming as you can do in a 4 foot bathtub.

The pools are just not for swimming. The Mickey pool is so dang crowded. And same with the Goofy pool. Plus, I was a nervous wreck at the Goofy pool because of all the kids jumping in to a crowded pool, scared they would jump on top of another child and one would get hurt. Despite all the "No Jumping" signs painted all over the pool and parents in the pool saying, "jump over here!" I swear, sometimes I wonder if I have a sign on my back that says, "stupid people follow me" cause they really seem to show up wherever I go!

You will be so surprised when you drop your son off at the Oceaneer's Lab or Club and then go back an hour later to pick him up and he's got his arm around his new best friend and doesn't want to go with you. ENJOY!!!! We had to tell Ally a couple times, "You WILL spend some time with us today!" But that just told me that she was having a great time and it did allow us some quality time alone.

Now if I could have just found Jeff a new best friend, I could have REALLY enjoyed that quality alone time!

 

[kid-at-heart]

"...sea "scared"..." - Yep, thatsa me but reading your TR still makes me want to go on a cruise. I do not know how you are finding time to write your trip report with your daughter being out of school now but please keep writing. We need the entertainment.