I was watching the updates on these boards last night as far as this w/e's cruises go - apparently the Magic was coming in to PC today as planned, the only change was that they would sail out tonight at 6:30 instead of 5pm to accomodate late flights in for people. Sure feel badly for anyone who misses the ship! (Maybe today would be a good day to get a bargain rate on the cruise??)
Imagine, too, how crazy the resorts must have been yesterday when the parks cleared out?? I read one report that said they just kept the buffets open continuously. FW cabins were evacuated. Hope everybody was well-behaved!
(Have been following the thread What's the Worst Thing You've Seen at WDW - people amaze me sometimes...)
Re: wardrobe on the ship. First off, no stressing required!!
It's a lot like the parks, pretty casual except for nighttime. Beachwear during the day around the islands and ship. Too hot for pants so don't bother with any of those with the exception of slacks for outfits. Do bring a lightweight sweater for restaraunts or shows.
Dinners for Men: Palo is the nicest, most formal restaraunt followed by Triton's. Jacket preferred for men at Palo's (DH HATES to dress up but keeps asking me if we're going to Palos so he knows whether to pack jacket, would have felt out of place without one as everyone was wearing them). For men at Triton's, dress shirt, no jacket necessary; AP and PC for men, polos ok with slacks. Shouldn't wear shorts with the possible exception of PC but should be "nice" and worn with nice top, no tees.
Dinners for Women: reserve nicest outfit for Palo's. (Michelle my vote is for the black dress: key word - SIMPLIFY
P.S. Sweats with me at this point would work well too, Juice Fast isn't going to well!
) Second nicest for Triton's; AP and PC nice resort wear. (FYI if anyone needs still needs resort wear check out AB Lambdin online, can do fast shipping and sales going on now, etc...).
Dinners for Kids: mirror parents.
Additional thoughts for dinner: Clothes should be COMFORTABLE because you get really *stuffed* (they bring you LOTS of food whether you want it or not - last year waitress at Palo's brought 8 desserts for 4 or us unsolicited!!!) Usually go to shows around dinner time too so have to SIT in them afterward
and unless you then want to go back to stateroom to change will be in those clothes the rest of the night. They do have formal pictures with ship in background taken outside of Triton's every night so may want to plan that picture for when family is dressed the nicest - can also order photo XMas cards on the ship if you reallywant to simplify things! There are threads on the cruise boards with LOTs of different opinions about dressing for dinner.
Hope that helps. There are laundry rooms on the ships too which I guess you have to use at "off" times, and send out laundry but that's ridiculously priced (something like $5 per item, we should charge our families the same thing, we'd be rich!) I'm planning to not overpack and to throw in a load of laundry late some night, our room is pretty closeby.
Michelle, I thought I saw a coupon somewhere for the Resort Tour but can't find it in the usual spots. Will keep looking and let you know if I find it.
Enjoy the packing!!