September 4th (2004) Disney Magic Cruise List

[ThreeCircles]

Checkin in!

I just woke up. No, not really. I did sleep in until 10:30 though.

So, how was the golf Tony?

 

[ganurse]

hello guys...the countdown has me excited. it wont be long until michael and I join yall on our secondy cruise. michael is excited about hitting the casinos at san juan and i cant wait to do the champagne catamaran again in st thomas. we had a blast next time...when do they do updates on the ship?

 

[TonyF]

Jason,

The golf could have been better, but the beer was pretty darn good. Maybe could've had an impact on the golf. Then the wife had me out in the yard working for the rest of the day. She even had me mow my neighbor's lawn, while they are in Florida (WDW no less - their daughter is in a band that marched in the daytime parade yesterday). I think I got the raw end of that deal. At least I have the trip to Florida in three weeks and the cruise to look forward to.

I wish I could sleep that late. They say you need less sleep as you get older, and I'm starting to believe them. I am usually up before 6:00 a.m. I don't know if it's my daughter or the age, but I can't remember the last time I slept that late.

I gotta get back to work, so we'll chat later.

TonyF

 

[ThreeCircles]

Amy--

Travis and I might also check out the casinos in San Juan. Haven't really looked into them too much or collected much information on them but anything would really work for us. The first, and only, times that I've ever gambled have been during our visits to St. Maarten. We just play the slots although Travis has wanted to play a hand or two of 21.

The casinos in St. Maarten are nothing compared to Las Vegas from what I hear but they're a fun distraction for us. On our first visit we lost $25 and on our second probably an equal amount. But, it was entertaining!


Tony--

Hmmm... I'm not too sure about that deal about you doing your neighbors lawn while they're at WDW. Seems very suspicious to me!

Cool to hear that you'll be here in a few weeks though. Is it a family trip to WDW or a different location?

As far as sleep goes, I’m very envious of my cats. Eighteen to twenty-one hours per days would seem to suit me fine. Well, except when I’m on vacation!

 

[Windermere]

We did the Water Island bike trip the first time we visited St Thomas. Very good and we are not crazy athletic either.

The next time we did the Champagne Catamaran. Also really liked this one.

Another time we did the St Jon eco-hike. We really liked this as well. All except being sucked dry by the gazillion mosquitoes.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Glad to see you check in with the thread Windermere!

When you guys did the Eco Hike, was Thunder Hawk the guide?

 

[ganurse]

hello to all the people i have not said hello too. we also did the casinos in st maartin and my husband was lucky. im not sure if we will do an excursion again in st thomas although we really liked the champagne catamaran. it would be nice to just shop and relax. Scrappy is somewhere here and she has given me lots of advice on San Juan!!!!

 

[TonyF]

I'm back. Have to work from time to time. What a bummer! Our trip down is the 4th of July week. My dad retired to the Ocala area last year, so we will be visiting with him. We are going to Orlando and Tampa Bay in the middle of the week. Then back to Ocala to finish the week. If we are lucky, we will be able to make a side visit to WDW, but that is unsure at this point.

Jason, I had been checking out the Paradise Point options. That sounds right up our alley, but it's nice to know from someone who has been. The Eco hike does sound interesting, but I'm afraid it might be a bit much for my 8-yr old. Although she was born in the South, my job transferred me north to the Chicago area when she was two months old. She might as well be a Northener. She wants me to turn on the air conditioning when the temperatures climb above 70. How much hiking was involved? If it is alot, then we might have to forego that excursion until she's a bit older and can handle the hike with the HEAT.

Your idea of gambling sounds like mine. I'm a controller, so I know the odds. My wife is the one in our family who likes to gamble (especially slots). I didn't know there was a casino in San Juan, so now I'm wondering if I should tell her.

I'll keep checking in periodically, so take care all. 81 days left til the cruise!!! 74 days for Jason and Travis!!!

TonyF

 

[paulmc80]

I haven't posted here in quite awhile. I've been waiting for WDW resort discounts for our pre and post-cruise stays. Yeah, I'm cheap. lol

We got great 40% off active duty military discounts and I just made the reservations at the Pop Century. Since its new and we've never been thought we'd check it out, especially at this excellent rate.

Jason, we really appreciate you putting up the San Juan excursion information. We've been reviewing that and seeing what we like.

Excitedly waiting for our cruise!

 

[Windermere]

jason,

really don't remember who our guides were. i think it was 2 females but we were too busy swatting mosquittoes.

 

[ThreeCircles]

Hi all--

I'm in the process of finishing up the Disney Magic September 4th Cruise Matrix for the site. Once I have it complete I'll upload it onto the site at ThreeCircles.net and it will be available to download in PDF format. I finished the August 28th one just yesterday so if you want to check that out to see what it will look like, please feel free.

Paul--

Glad you found the excursion material useful. We actually have it thanks to TonyF! I believe he received it from his travel agent and was kind enough to e-mail it to me so that it could go up on the site.

Great news about the savings at Pop Century! Travis and I want to stay there at some point too. A lot of people have had mixed reviews about the appearance of the resort but I actually think it looks pretty cool and is a neat theme.

Let us know what you and Kaye decide about the excursions in San Juan. We may end up on the same.


Tony--

Don't you just hate that about work?! I mean, they really expect one to work! Hope the plans to visit WDW while you guys are down here work out.

The Eco Hike was actually very mild. We had a couple with a 5-6 year old on the cruise last time and they too were on the Eco Hike. The child had no problem with the activity level and actually seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. It was warm during the hike but the guide kept to a trail that was in the shade for the most part.

One interesting thing that he pointed out was the differences between the Westward and Leeward sides of the island. One side (I forget which, ) actually stays several degrees cooler than the other and has much more dense foliage and more moisture than the other. And, the neat thing, was that you really could feel the difference once you crossed over the ridge to the other side of the island.

The hike really wasn't a steep climb either. The path was well marked and very clear and only had a gradual climb and decline. Nothing too intense.

Paradise Point is very nice and the Bushwacker is a must-try. (Don't forget to print out your $1.00 off coupons from the Paradise Point site. It's listed on ThreeCircles.net.)


Amy--

We didn't try the catamaran in St. Thomas but we did the Golden Eagle Catamaran in St. Maarten and loved it. What a great time and they served champagne to boot!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by Windermere
jason,

really don't remember who our guides were. i think it was 2 females but we were too busy swatting mosquittoes.

Guess they must either have different guides or use different companies for the excursion then because we had two males.

I'm really surprised to hear you had problems with mosquitoes. I guess we lucked out. I'm a TOTAL mosquito magnet and they eat me alive. I can't even sit out on our back porch at dusk without coming inside with upteen bites. But, I don't recall one during the Eco Hike. Guess I should be very thankful for that!

 

[Windermere]

We did the hike in Sept (or early Oct) from what I can remember. I'm surprised DH had enough blood left in him to make it back to the ship.

Would do the trip again but definitely will apply the bug repelant.

 

[TonyF]

Good morning all,

Jason, the cruise matrix for the August 28th cruise is way cool!!! It looks great!!! I can't wait for the matrix for our cruise. You are making it too easy planning for the night to dine at Palo. Thanks.

It doesn't look like the Eco hike will be as bad as I originally thought. I printed out your comments for my wife to look at. We'll see what she thinks. Usually it's whatever my daughter and I decide. My wife doesn't want to decide a thing (she's on vacation).

I'll make sure to bring along some bug spray for the trip. Thanks for the heads up Windermere. We know a bit about mosquitoes up here. Our house butts up to some preserved wetlands. I have contemplated sending my state representatives a letter requesting that they make the mosquito the state bird.

The Bushwacker looks like a definite DO NOT MISS in my book.

TonyF

 

[ganurse]

hello everyone. has anyone seen that soda is now free on board? is this true or a disboard rumor? i must know as that would save us 70 bucks and that is exciting. i cant believe we only havee 2 full months (july and august) before we leave. its going to be a great trip and there will be no rain!

 

[WILDCATMICKEY]

This is true. I received a not from Mousesavers stating the same information.

 

[ganurse]

wildcatmickey, you will be on the sept 4 cruise as well? tell us about youself

 

[ThreeCircles]

OK fellow Disney Magic September 4th Cruisers!

The September 4th cruise matrix is up and running at ThreeCircles.net.


Tony--

I'll try and post some of the pics we took during the Eco Hike. The views were pretty astounding.

 

[WILDCATMICKEY]

GANURSE

Joined board on page 9.

DW and I went on first DC last Sept. Loved it so much we had to do it again. We met a really great couple last year on the cruise and they are also going again this year. We have everything arranged except excursion. Our feeling is Sept. can't get here soon enough.

 

[TonyF]

Jason,

The cruise matrix is a godsend. What would we do without you? I'll just have to do the ressie rush, and then it will be clear sailing.

I am a bit scared of the Eco hike pictures you are going to post. I saw a picture of the digital camera you were looking at on another thread. If that is your upgrade camera, your camera must have been bigger than a suitcase. Kidding aside, I look forward to viewing the pictures. I'm sure they are awesome.

I'm also looking to get a new digital camera before the cruise, so I've been viewing that thread quite regularly. I just started looking a couple of weeks ago. I'm the type of person that researches things to death before I even walk in a store, so I still have a bit of work. I have time, so I am in no hurry. I am a bit confused by the SLR or not, difference? I plan to take a look at that this weekend.

Wildcatmickey, I am with you. Just waiting for September to get here. Here's to hoping that we all have an enjoyable summer, and that our cruise will just be the icing on the cake.

TonyF