01/02/10- Mickey's New Decade Brigade!

[MonicaW]

OMG, what to pick in St. Maarten! Is it better to book once you get to shore or do something booked from the ship? Any ideas?

Monica

 

[WDW Princess 71]

OMG, what to pick in St. Maarten! Is it better to book once you get to shore or do something booked from the ship? Any ideas?

Monica

Hey Monica,

I started adding your info to my FE list...now all I need from you is your family name (ie- The Smith Family), stateroom number, and if you have a particular day you prefer to deliver your FE gifts or if it doesnt matter, then you are all set. You can PM me those details if you would rather do that once you hit 10 posts.

As far as Palo, dont be bummed...when you board, there is a place (usually one of the adults clubs) where you can go and get a Palo ressie or change your ressie there. Key is to get to the terminal early when it opens (10 to 10:30 ish) so you can board in the early groups to get on, to have the best selection of Palo times. I highly recommend you do a brunch and dinner there, it is amazing. It is very easy to secure Palo ressies if you do this when you board the first day.

As far as St. Maarten, I have never been there so I cant really help you out, I have already booked a private tour guide for myself so I'm hoping that will be a fun day. I know DCL has several excursions that sound good, or you could always get a cab and go to a beach on your own, which is what I'm doing in St. Thomas because I personally dont like the cruise sponsored excursions because I find them more expensive and strict time constraints than if I just do it on my own.

Hope this helps!

-Nicole

 

[MonicaW]

We are arriving on the 1st and staying nearby so that on the 2nd we can board early! We want an early start to our cruise vacation!!!!

Monica

 

[MonicaW]

Just checked on line and the only available reservation is Jan 2, for 2 people.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Just checked on line and the only available reservation is Jan 2, for 2 people.

If I were you I would book it, and then once on board change it. It is easier if you have a ressie to change it than if you have none and then want to make one, so if any Palo is available, snag it and then change it on board if it isnt what you wanted.

 

[KC-Disney]

It is getting closer. I haven't checked in lately. Have been ill with H1N1. I have never been so sick in my life. Got it before my vaccine could take effect. Home for 10 days from work. Now have developed Bronchitis. Oh well, the positive thing is i should be 100% for the cruise.

Update on DH - his ribs and chest is healing from his car accident. He is already daydreaming about sitting on the balcony watching the water. Sitting on the deck outside Topsiders, drinking morning coffee at breakfast.

My DS(11) is excited that he will be going to the oceanquest this trip, as he moved up in age. DS(13) not thrilled his little brother will be in the same group. LOL life is rough to be a big brother.

I can here the music playing as you are walking about the ship. I can see the flash of the photographers taking your photos in your best dressed. The atmosphere is one, a person will never forget. Don't forget the towel origami. Every so often my DH(11) makes me a towel monkey he made. Thinking about the beach at Castaway Cay. Parasailing high above the boat. Being able to see the Magic from above. Parrot Cay was my favorite restaurant last time. Not to forget sneaking up to the fish extenders to sneak in the gifts. The excitement of going back to your cabin and finding goodies in your FE. Or when you get up in the morning. My mind is busy thinking about all the wonderful things to look forward to again. Hope this gets you in the excitement a little.

 

[secretkeeper]

Monica, & family, Welcome!!! Do NOT stress about Palo. See some of the earlier posts in regard to that. You should be fine but I would take whatever pop's up as suggested.

Karen I am so glad your husband is getting better. The healing process takes a long time so it is good to know he is on the mend. The H1N1 is horrible. My six year old had it three weeks ago. He had to spend 24 hours under observation in the hospital. My DH got it too. The 6 year old was out of school for a week. Thankfully last week was a school break beacause he was not ready to return even after a week off! He is still coughing. My DH also got it. His went to bronchitis also most likely due to his asthma. I'm glad you are getting better!

We also have two in casts in the family right now. DH broke his foot about 7 weeks ago and it is not healing very fast. He is stressed that it won't be good for the cruise Now DD is in one for a total of 6 weeks. She had surgery for a torn ligament and streached tendons and can't work for a couple of months. She is very bummed because because she won't have much spending money. I told her, "Oh well, You're going on a Disney Cruise". She will survive!

Have a great weekend every one.

 

[MonicaW]

Hi Karen ~

Your post sounds dreamy and I am sooooo looking forward to our first cruise! I suppose that because you are coming from the Prairies you will also llike getting away from a bit of the Canadian winter!

Monica

 

[MonicaW]

Just posting #10 so I can PM my FE info for our cruise!!!!

Monica

 

[Sorcerer Mom]

Morning Everyone and WELCOME Monica!! I agree with WDW Princess to take the Palo booking that's offerred - at least you've got something. I believe the location is Diversions where you can change and/or add to that once on board. This will be our 2nd cruise but 1st to the Carib. so I don't have much excursion wisdom to offer - my DD (19) and I are doing the Riviera Beach Bash...relaxing on the beach is just what we're lookin for at our first port of call You're gunna LOVE, LOVE DCL - just be prepared to get hooked

Karen - Yes, dreamy would be how I would describe your post too - makes me want to run home and pull out my pics from our last cruise!!! I'll just day-dream a little Glad your DH is healing so well but sorry to hear you've been sick Hope you're both feeling close to 100% by the holidays so you can hit the deck running in January (welll, maybe your DH should NOT run ..but you get the idea ).

Anyone see, on the Picture of the Day thread, the picture of Goofy catching some rays at the adult pool??? Soooo stinkin cute

Well, back to work.....I guess.....if I have too....

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

We just booked this sailing TODAY! nothing like the last minute huh?! We are my husband and I, our 13 yr old daughter and our 11 year old son. We took this cruise 2 years ago, also in January, and are looking forward to going again. Not sure about excursions yet, and of course Palo is booked but i will keep checking and check onboard also.

Just wanted to say hi, and that we are excited to be cruising again, We have gone the last 3 Januarys so it seems to be the right time of the year for us! Will PM about the FE tonight also. Can't wait only 52 more days!!

 

[KC-Disney]

Hi Karen ~

Your post sounds dreamy and I am sooooo looking forward to our first cruise! I suppose that because you are coming from the Prairies you will also llike getting away from a bit of the Canadian winter!

Monica

We cruised last December, and I loved it so much. Had to book again. When we were gone last year, we missed the record low temps. -40 to -45 degree weather. We have been very lucky and have had nice weather so far. Today was 11 degrees C.

Welcome aboard.

 

[KC-Disney]

We just booked this sailing TODAY! nothing like the last minute huh?! We are my husband and I, our 13 yr old daughter and our 11 year old son. We took this cruise 2 years ago, also in January, and are looking forward to going again. Not sure about excursions yet, and of course Palo is booked but i will keep checking and check onboard also.

Just wanted to say hi, and that we are excited to be cruising again, We have gone the last 3 Januarys so it seems to be the right time of the year for us! Will PM about the FE tonight also. Can't wait only 52 more days!!

Welcome aboard as well. My DS will be happy another 11 year old boy. It is getting so exciting. I keep looking at my last years pictures.

 

[Sorcerer Mom]

We just booked this sailing TODAY! nothing like the last minute huh?! We are my husband and I, our 13 yr old daughter and our 11 year old son. We took this cruise 2 years ago, also in January, and are looking forward to going again. Not sure about excursions yet, and of course Palo is booked but i will keep checking and check onboard also.

Just wanted to say hi, and that we are excited to be cruising again, We have gone the last 3 Januarys so it seems to be the right time of the year for us! Will PM about the FE tonight also. Can't wait only 52 more days!!

WELCOME Since you've taken this cruise before, what was your favorite port last time?

We cruised last December, and I loved it so much. Had to book again. When we were gone last year, we missed the record low temps. -40 to -45 degree weather. We have been very lucky and have had nice weather so far. Today was 11 degrees C.

Welcome aboard.

I was just wondering about the temps in January...what did kind of weather did you guys have when you cruised Dec/Jan? I guess since it's super windy here in Vegas and chilly (for us), I'm thinkin about the cruise even more today!

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Thanks everyone for the welcome! KC Disney- maybe we can get the boys emailing before the cruise? My son is so excited for ocean quest!

Sorcerer mom My personal favorite port was St. Maarten, but St. Thomas is also beautiful. In St. Maarten we did a horseback riding on the beach excursion through Shoretrips.com it was wonderful. SO beautiful! In St Thomas we did a beach excursion through Disney and that was great also not having to worry about getting our own transportation to and from the beach. I am not sure what we will do this year. My favorite though are the sea days they are THE BEST!!

We sailed the Eastern Caribbean in 08 and the Western in 09. The weather was actually great for both, with Port Canaveral being a little chilly when we left, but the ports were probably high 70's to mid 80's and we had no rain. Castaway Cay may be mid 70's, but it is beautiful!!

I am so excited I can hardly wait, I keep checking to see if we have been assigned a cabin yet as we are in a 9GTY right now! I am SO impatient!!

 

[KC-Disney]

WELCOME Since you've taken this cruise before, what was your favorite port last time?



I was just wondering about the temps in January...what did kind of weather did you guys have when you cruised Dec/Jan? I guess since it's super windy here in Vegas and chilly (for us), I'm thinkin about the cruise even more today!

We were on the Magic - Western Caribbean December 13-20th. The weather was warm and beautiful. Of course in comparison to freezing cold weather it was great. I guess the temps were between 75-85. The day we were in cozumel it was very hot. Key West and Grand Cayman were also very warm. Castaway Cay was a bit cooler, probably 75. We swam, it was cool initially, but once you were in for a while it wasn't bad. The pirates party was quite windy on deck. I know the boat was really rockin in the night. They were still able to do the fireworks though. My DH and youngest DS actually went back to the cabin, as the motion was a bit much. Otherwise no other motion issues.

So hopefully we will have good weather.

 

[secretkeeper]

WELCOME Since you've taken this cruise before, what was your favorite port last time?



I was just wondering about the temps in January...what did kind of weather did you guys have when you cruised Dec/Jan? I guess since it's super windy here in Vegas and chilly (for us), I'm thinkin about the cruise even more today!

Welcome new cruisers!

Sorcerer Mom- The frist cruise we took was at the end of Jan but it was the western route. C.C. was warm but the water was cool. We got spoiled by the warm water further south. The only issue was wind. All the shore excursions were cancelled because of wind but the beach was great and the weather was warm and HUMID. We also really enjoyed lunch! YUM We are looking forward to it again.

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Welcome new cruisers!

Sorcerer Mom- The frist cruise we took was at the end of Jan but it was the western route. C.C. was warm but the water was cool. We got spoiled by the warm water further south. The only issue was wind. All the shore excursions were cancelled because of wind but the beach was great and the weather was warm and HUMID. We also really enjoyed lunch! YUM We are looking forward to it again.

I have the same agreement in the weather from my January 2009 cruise, it was warm in both Nassau and CC, though of course the water was a little cool at first but like the PP said, once you're in, its fine...it felt like our NJ ocean feels even in the summer! So I guess some people from warmer parts of the country might feel like the water is way too cold, but if you're from areas like NJ where its cold water even in summer, you will enjoy it just fine! And the only issue we had on CC like the PP said, was that it was so windy just about all the shore excursions were cancelled : ( I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this year we get an excursion in, but of course I'll just be happy to be able to dock since January sometimes gets so windy they cant even dock, gasp : (...so just getting to CC will be enough for me!

On another note, I'm happy to report that we have 16 staterooms signed up for the FE exchange! The deadline that we agreed on will be the end of the night this Sunday, 11/22, and then early next week I'll send out the preliminary spreadsheet of everyone's info. I say preliminary in case some people change staterooms or only have a GTY as of now, but of course that info is irrelevant to the FE preparation for gifts, so the preliminary sheet I'll send out will be fine and then right before the cruise I'll send out the most updated copy to everyone. If you are still interested in the FE exchange but haven't signed up yet, PLEASE PM ME! Details are in post #91 : )

Sara- what is the status of the cruise tshirts? Are we still ordering them?

 

[GeneralMax]

Hello again. Sorry for my extended absence. We were busy getting through our daughters first months of College and Halloween when tragedy struck and my mother passed away unexpectedly. It has been a devastating blow to my family. She was a wonderful person and will be missed more than imaginable.

I am now back to counting the days until our cruise. I really need the time to regroup and am looking forward to time with my children so I can love them up - which may not go over well with an 18 year old and a 15 year old - but they are just going to have to put up with it.

Ruth

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Hello again. Sorry for my extended absence. We were busy getting through our daughters first months of College and Halloween when tragedy struck and my mother passed away unexpectedly. It has been a devastating blow to my family. She was a wonderful person and will be missed more than imaginable.

I am now back to counting the days until our cruise. I really need the time to regroup and am looking forward to time with my children so I can love them up - which may not go over well with an 18 year old and a 15 year old - but they are just going to have to put up with it.

Ruth

Ruth, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you and your family. I can't imagine what you are going through but it is good that you are trying to keep focused on the cruise and looking forward to spending that quality time with your family.

To our group- just a reminder, the deadline to sign up for the Fish Extender Exchange is the end of the night on Sunday, 11/22, which is this weekend! I can't believe how time flies, that it is actually time to start getting the gifts together! It will be such fun. If you are on the fence about signing up, trust me, it is so worth it and so much fun, and really does not require a lot of money or creativity if you don't want to- any gifts, regardless of cost or effort are appreciated because it is merely the fun of receiving surprises in the FE that is so much fun. So, if you are interested and have not yet PM'd me to sign up, please do so by the end of Sunday night! After that, by early next week I'll be sending out the list so people can start getting stuff together.

Two questions for Melissa and Sara- what is the status of the planning of the DIS meets/activities and the tshirts? Are you guys still working on those?