February 1, 2013- 4 night Magic from Galveston

[Syd Macs Mom]

Originally Posted by twokats

I don't have a problem giving you ours, it is Self. That covers us and our son's name.

Thank you!

Will you send us a final list with all the room numbers and everything when we close the exchange? I was just looking at our roll call and noticed there are not too many room numbers listed there. Our room is 7132 - was not sure if I gave that to you or not.

Thanks so much for organizing this for everyone - I really appreciate it!

Jana

[ekatiel]

Originally Posted by Candicno

We just booked this cruise with out 3 year old son. Will be our first cruise with Disney and DS' first cruise ever.

Where can I find information on dining/navigators? Specifically, which night is the formal/more dressy night and which night is the pirate night? We've got some planning to do since we're stuck with second dining right now.

Formal night is probably the second night of the cruise (the first full day at sea). That's just my guess based on other 4 night cruises I've taken out of Galveston on other lines. Pirate night is definitely the Cozumel night . Are you on the waitlist for first seating? I'd keep checking. We booked on 12/12 and were waitlisted for first seating, but I called the other day to ask about something, and we were confirmed on first seating. Hopefully, you'll get switched too!

Originally Posted by tgch123

ok, more questions..

when you go to the port and get through the check in process and get onto the boat.. can you go and do anything right away. Is everything open and ready. Say we wanted to go straight to one of the restaurants and eat or go straight to the room and order room service. Will you even be able to get into your room right away? I think I read somewhere it could take until 2 for your room to be ready??

And what time does the boat actually push off and leave Galveston?

Sorry for all the questions... I'm a crusin' newbie

Since we've never cruised DCL, I'll give my best shot at this question based on other cruise lines. Usually your room isn't ready until around 1 or 1:30pm. Remember that you'll be lugging around your carry-on until then, so don't over pack the carry-on. Also, remember that there is a possibility that your luggage won't arrive before dinner (it usually does, but sometimes it doesn't make it). Make sure you either have dinner clothes packed in your carry-on or you are wearing clothes that will be OK at dinner. Usually, the buffet is open when you board. The main dining rooms are usually closed until dinner that evening. The pools are usually open (if you are brave enough to swim in February-- only God knows what the weather will be like-- could be 50's, could be 80's!!), just remember to pack your swimsuit in your carry on if you want to swim right away. We usually grab a bite to eat and then go exploring for a little while until rooms are ready .

This time, we will be in the last boarding group so that our kids can miss as little school as possible. We live 30 minutes from the port , so I'm planning on pulling them out around 2 or 2:15 and then heading down. We usually like to be among the first on the ship, but we've already pulled out boys out for three and a half days to go to WDW this year, so we really need to minimize their time out of school. We're also making them go to school on Tuesday when we get back!!

Anyone who's sailed DCL before, correct me if I'm wrong about anything above. We've sailed both Carnival and Royal, and it's been the same on those two lines, so I'm imagining it's similar on DCL, too. You're going to have a blast! Cruising is SO relaxing!!! --Katie

[twokats]

Originally Posted by Syd Macs Mom

Thank you!

Will you send us a final list with all the room numbers and everything when we close the exchange? I was just looking at our roll call and noticed there are not too many room numbers listed there. Our room is 7132 - was not sure if I gave that to you or not.

Thanks so much for organizing this for everyone - I really appreciate it!

Jana

I sent out PM's and e-mails last night to get the rest of the staterooms that are needed. Some do not show on the Roll Call if they were sent to me in a PM. Only the FE list for the participants will see those.

I did have yours, so we are ok. My hope is to send the final list out to the group no later than New Years Day. The ones that do not have their room #'s yet will hopefully have them before we all leave and of course we will make arrangements to get late notices out to the group in some shape form or fashion.

[twokats]

Originally Posted by ekatiel

Formal night is probably the second night of the cruise (the first full day at sea). That's just my guess based on other 4 night cruises I've taken out of Galveston on other lines. Pirate night is definitely the Cozumel night . Are you on the waitlist for first seating? I'd keep checking. We booked on 12/12 and were waitlisted for first seating, but I called the other day to ask about something, and we were confirmed on first seating. Hopefully, you'll get switched too!



Since we've never cruised DCL, I'll give my best shot at this question based on other cruise lines. Usually your room isn't ready until around 1 or 1:30pm. Remember that you'll be lugging around your carry-on until then, so don't over pack the carry-on. Also, remember that there is a possibility that your luggage won't arrive before dinner (it usually does, but sometimes it doesn't make it). Make sure you either have dinner clothes packed in your carry-on or you are wearing clothes that will be OK at dinner. Usually, the buffet is open when you board. The main dining rooms are usually closed until dinner that evening. The pools are usually open (if you are brave enough to swim in February-- only God knows what the weather will be like-- could be 50's, could be 80's!!), just remember to pack your swimsuit in your carry on if you want to swim right away. We usually grab a bite to eat and then go exploring for a little while until rooms are ready .

This time, we will be in the last boarding group so that our kids can miss as little school as possible. We live 30 minutes from the port , so I'm planning on pulling them out around 2 or 2:15 and then heading down. We usually like to be among the first on the ship, but we've already pulled out boys out for three and a half days to go to WDW this year, so we really need to minimize their time out of school. We're also making them go to school on Tuesday when we get back!!

Anyone who's sailed DCL before, correct me if I'm wrong about anything above. We've sailed both Carnival and Royal, and it's been the same on those two lines, so I'm imagining it's similar on DCL, too. You're going to have a blast! Cruising is SO relaxing!!! --Katie

You are very close. On the short cruises the "formal" night is classified dress up. I think I remember some from my Bahama cruise taking advantage of a more formal look, but that is up to the person. Pirate is Cozumel.
The rooms are usually ready by 1:30.
Parrot Cay is the restaurant open for a buffet lunch and it is usually very good. The regular buffet quick service and all other quick service are also open to the best of my memory.
Yes you have to keep up with your carry-on until the room is ready and then you wait on your luggage. On the smaller ships we got them quicker than we did on the Fantasy.
We are so looking forward to this trip. It will be the first one we will have taken at that time of year.

[tgch123]

Thank you guys for all the great answers!! Ekatiel I'm in Katy! It should take us about an hour to get to port.

SO EXCITED!

[tgch123]

Originally Posted by Syd Macs Mom

I was wondering about last names - one of the gifts that I am was hoping to make for everyone needs a last name. Just wondering how everyone feels about giving their last names - should I try to come up with something different?

Our last name is Garcia

[ekatiel]

Originally Posted by tgch123

Thank you guys for all the great answers!! Ekatiel I'm in Katy! It should take us about an hour to get to port.

SO EXCITED!

We live in Friendswood , so we're just a hop, skip, and a jump from Galveston . Can't wait for this cruise. We're telling the boys on Christmas morning . --Katie

[Syd Macs Mom]

Thanks, Kathy! Thanks, Courtney!

Hey everyone - I need to get last names if you don't mind. One of the things that I am making for the exchange uses your last name. If you don't want to post it here you could pm me..... please and thank you!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Jana

[ekatiel]

Since I'm new to this whole FE thing, can we talk about how it will all work for our cruise (I've read the threads, but I feel like I need more specifics!)? How many gifts do we make? One per family? One per person? I've seen some posts where people have made multiple gifts for each person-- I'm not sure I'm up for that !!! When do we drop off the gifts? Will we each be assigned (or choose) a day to drop of the gifts so that there will be something new in the FE each day? As you can tell, I'm a details person . Thanks for any info you guys have! --Katie

[twokats]

Originally Posted by ekatiel

Since I'm new to this whole FE thing, can we talk about how it will all work for our cruise (I've read the threads, but I feel like I need more specifics!)? How many gifts do we make? One per family? One per person? I've seen some posts where people have made multiple gifts for each person-- I'm not sure I'm up for that !!! When do we drop off the gifts? Will we each be assigned (or choose) a day to drop of the gifts so that there will be something new in the FE each day? As you can tell, I'm a details person . Thanks for any info you guys have! --Katie

The stock answer is that it is totally up to you. There is no wrong way to do it. Some do a per cabin gift only. I have had other do a cabin, plus a little something extra for any children in the room. (I have done that several times). It is totally up to you, your time and your budget.
It is not a contest to see who can do the biggest, and I have loved everything that I have gotten because even if it wasn't handmade, I know the people put some time and thought into what they gave.
We had one cruise where we kinda assigned days to deliver, but the others we just left it open and we pretty much got something everyday. I used to stress over that also, but now I just go with the flow and have a good time with it.
Anyway, as I said, there really is no right or wrong and if you stress yourself over it then it loses the fun factor. Ask away if you need a little more clarification.

[Syd Macs Mom]

I really don't think there are any certain rules here. You can do individual gifts or do family gifts or both - whichever you prefer. I really think it is whatever you can and feel comfortable doing. Some people will be making their gifts, some will be buying little gifts. And as I understand it - there is not a set time to put the gifts in - unless we decide as a group to do a certain schedule. Is that right Kathy?

This is my first time to participate in the FE so I really am not an expert - I just know what folks have shared here on the DIS.

I am getting so excited! Jana

[twokats]

Originally Posted by Syd Macs Mom

I really don't think there are any certain rules here. You can do individual gifts or do family gifts or both - whichever you prefer. I really think it is whatever you can and feel comfortable doing. Some people will be making their gifts, some will be buying little gifts. And as I understand it - there is not a set time to put the gifts in - unless we decide as a group to do a certain schedule. Is that right Kathy?

This is my first time to participate in the FE so I really am not an expert - I just know what folks have shared here on the DIS.

I am getting so excited! Jana

You are right. As I said only one of my cruises had a schedule and it was the first (4 night Bahama). The other 2 which were 7 nights we did not worry about it and it worked out well with something in it everyday.

[ekatiel]

Thanks for the FE info guys ! I feel more comfortable knowing it's a laid-back kind of thing!! Just over a month to go . --Katie

[jenerra11]

Received cruise docs this weekend!!

[Syd Macs Mom]

Originally Posted by ekatiel

Thanks for the FE info guys ! I feel more comfortable knowing it's a laid-back kind of thing!! Just over a month to go . --Katie

Welcome! Do you have your Fish Extender? I got mine online - it really turned out cute - pm if you want the info where we got it.

Jana