01/04/05 4 Day Magic Roll Call

[Dorenda]

We are flying in from Chicago to go on our cruise. Do we fly into Orlando or is there another airport closer?
We are actually flying in a day earlier to just hang out at the beach before the cruise.

Any information would be great.

I hope I get to meet some people from this message board. It's been a great tool in our trip planning.

 

[Cruisin]

Hi Dorenda

We always fly in from Detroit when we fly down.

We also always fly into Orlando.

We tend to fly in a day early too because once we sat on the runway for 2 hours with the airport closed and I was sure we weren't going to make it to the ship on time It is much easier on the nerves to have that little bit of cushion time

Maybe we will try and plan a short DIS meet on board, just to say hello to everyone and then we will at least "know" each other when we are passing by!

 

[dclwdwlover]

Originally posted by Cruisin'Kroezes
Maybe we will try and plan a short DIS meet on board, just to say hello to everyone and then we will at least "know" each other when we are passing by!

That's sounds like a good idea.


Dorenda: Not sure if there's any closer smaller airport, but the Orlando Airport is only 40-45 min. from the port & an easy drive on the BeeLine (528) straight there.

 

[Cruisin]

Any newcomers

 

[Dorenda]

We are so looking forward to going on this cruise. I'm curious to meet the people who have been posting messages.
Our 17 yr old is looking forward to hanging out with peers his age. I hope there are a number of them.

Has anyone ever done anything while in Naussau besides shop?
We are thinking of doing a Dolphin swim or something like that.

What else is there to do, and how long are we there for?

Also, what is Castaway Cay like? My boys want to snorkel and look at fish and stuff.

Thanks,

Dorenda

 

[Cruisin]

Dorenda

Well, I have a 17 year old daughter! So there is at least one other on board

We don't often get off the ship in Nassau although we have. We have gone on the glass bottom boat tour (a long time ago though and not with DCL). It wasn't that wonderful.

We took the Atlantis tour and enjoyed it. If we went again we would just go on our own and not with the excursion through DCL.

I went to the Straw Market but really did not enjoy the experience at all and was back on the ship in less than 1 hour!!

We arrive at Nassau around 8-9am and last time we left around 10-11pm. Other trips we have left later though. So I don't know what it will be this time.

I personally love it at Castaway Cay. I like to look at the fish in the water and look at shells on the beach. I have never done any snorkeling though.

I am looking forward to meeting you too when we get on the ship

 

[Dorenda]

Before we all leave for our trip we will have to figure out a way to spot each other. Maybe pins or something.

So the straw market was no good? I will have to look online to see what there is to do while in Nassau.

Have never been to anyplace out of the country before. I have been to Canada but that was different.

Robin, You have been a great help in answering all my questions. Thank you

Is there anyway to recieve a message from home while on the ship? We both have elderly parents.

Also, what about checking e-mail?

Thanks

 

[TammiMcMan]

Hey everyone,

It's nice to see the list growing. DH and I will be in one of the mid-ship category 3's. We have three kids, but we'll be cruising solo on this trip. Anyway, our stateroom might be a good spot for a mini-meet and at least we'll be able to recognize each other for the remainder of the cruise. Not sure when everyone is planning on getting on board, but maybe we could set up a time between 1:30 and 3:30 or 5:00 and 6:00. Unless another lucky Dis'er has a Cat 2 or Cat 1.....

Tammi

 

[Merylj]

Hello again,
Just to say I suggested to my dd that she visit this site to say hello to the other 17 year olds going on this cruise.
Well she won`t, I must remember that mothers of 17 year olds have nothing sensible to say!
I`m really hoping she`ll make a few friends on this cruise as this is part of a 17 day trip to the States - we`re from the UK. As there`s just me, dh and dd on this trip I think she`ll need a break from us.

Merylj

 

[Cruisin]

Hi everyone!

Dorenda: I didn't enjoy the straw market, very close together rows with very pushy market vendors. Not my style of stuff but you might enjoy it. You never know.

There is a phone number for the ship that you can leave and people can send you messages. But it is very expensive for calls from ship/shore and should probably be used only in an emergency or if you have lots of money I will look it up for you and post it a bit later cause I have to go soon to drive my daughter some where.

There is internet service available on the ship, I don't remember the cost but my daughter has used it before.

Tammi, how nice of you to volunteer your cabin for a mini DIS meet. We could always do it somewhere like the Promenade lounge for example, or even the little sitting area out front of guest services. We always aim to be on the ship as soon as they let you board. We hate to miss any fun and lunch is always great!!!

Merylj, of course you don't know anything, you are only her mother . I hope she will make friends too. My daughter is also 17 and usually has a great time on the ship. What type of girl is your daughter, shy and quiet, outgoing, fun loving or just plain old moody like mine is some of the time

Maybe you could PM me an email address for your daughter and I could try and talk mine into e-mailing her and talking to her about the cruise?? Maybe my daughter will look at me like I'm crazy too but I can ask her if she would be willing to talk with your daughter. I will let you know what she says okay?


<marquee behavior=alternate> ONLY 139 MORE DAYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </marquee>

 

[Merylj]

Tammi,
I meant to say how good it was of you to offer your stateroom for a meet. I certainly could`nt offer ours as we are in a cat. 12!

Cruisin`Kroezes,
DD is very sociable and very moody, but if your daughter is willing, I think it`s a great idea to exchange emails.

I think we`ve decided on staying onboard ship at Nassau, athough we should make the effort to see more.
Castway Cay on the other hand sounds fab! I think i`ll try and get the parasailing for dd.

Merylj

 

[Cruisin]

Merylj:

My daughter is shy but not shy if you know what I mean and also moody at times She said to tell your daughter not to worry because she will be fine. She says that people will just talk to you and you will soon have friends to hang around with.

If you daughter wants to send an email tell her she would be welcome to.

I personally think that you SHOULD get off the ship in Nassau. Even if you don't want to book any excursion, I think everyone should at least once in their life get off the ship and just take a little walk around. It is important to see how other countries are and how the people behave. Even if you just take an hour and go for a little walk on the main street that is right off the dock, I think you would be glad that you did. Then I would get right back on the ship

Just beware of the hair braiders You will be asked about 500 times ......... braid your hair pretty lady ....... and some of the "native" men are kind of scary hanging around on the street. But if you stick to the main street you will be fine.

Think about it!

 

[dclwdwlover]

I wanted to respond to some of the most recent posts.

Since DISers use the lime green color to recognize each other, why don't we use that? We weren't able to get lime green t-shirts before our last cruise (& still don't have any), but we got those little Mickey Mouse paint-chip cards in lime green in Home Depot & just pinned them on our shirts, shorts, etc.

My son was 15 & 17 when he last cruised & he had a GREAT time on the ship! He still corresponds via e-mail with a bunch of the kids from both. Granted, he is more outgoing than your daughters here sound like, but not overly so. He wouldn't visit the Teen Cruise Board before our trips & didn't want me to hook him up with anyone before the cruise.

Also, he has told me that the kids all seem somewhat uncomfortable the first day for a little while, but then they all seem to branch off into groups as they open up a bit. The counselors help a lot with making them all feel comfortable.

I also vote to get off in Nassau if you've never been. I personally don't care for it & haven't gotten off the past two cruises, but I agree that you should at least experience it. The time before the last two we only walked up & down the docks next to the ship just to look around. We only had to ward off the taxi drivers - didn't get near the market.

Castaway Cay is a MUST, though.

Tammi, Thank you for your invitation to use your cabin. Very nice of you. I vote for the later time (5:00-6:00) only because when we all first get on we may be running to do reservations & checking out the ship & EATING !!!

 

[Merylj]

Robin,
Thanks for that, I mentioned to dd about the email and she gave me that look, you know the special one reserved for all parents! So thank your daughter for her encouraging words and my dd will probably see her on the ship.

Your right we should get off the Magic at Nassau, an hour would be a good compromise.

Merylj

 

[Merylj]

Hello Dclwdwlovers,
Good to hear your son always has a great time on board, I`m sure dd will when she`s not pining for db!

I think we`re uncertain about Nassau as it does`nt take much for us to be out of our comfort zone! Though we really are looking forward to castaway Cay.

Must find some lime green............

Merylj

 

[TammiMcMan]

We can plan the mini-meet a little better as we get closer, but I like the 5-6pm time slot also. We're travelling without kids this time and no rushing around for us, but between the muster drill and the sailaway party, I think that would work out great. Plus, there is still plenty of time for those still needing to get ready for either early dinner seating or the show.

If we end up using our stateroom, does anyone know what time room service starts? I'm thinking we could get the cheese platter (or 2) and have a little snack while we all meet.

I love seeing that counter go down!

Tammi

 

[Cruisin]

everyone

dclwdwlover, the lime green is a good idea. I have a DIS button that I will probably wear with my user name on it and also I have some of the lime green Mickey Heads.

Merylj, you could use lime green ribbon and tie it on things. Or if you want, I could mail you some lime green Mickey heads from Home Depot if you can't find that kind of thing there. Let me know, because I think I have some around the house still, and it would be no problem to send them to you. If you are also doing the parks it would be a good idea to wear them there too. You never know who you will come upon! My daughter will be on the lookout for yours when they get to The Stack, maybe they can hook up together, who knows?

Hi Tammi, What time is early dinner seating 6:30? We have early seating this time. I usually like to go to the deck party and soak up the atmosphere. Betwen 5 and 6 would probably be okay, closer to 5:30 might be better because we will be well underway by then.

I'm not sure what time room service starts?

Sounds like fun and yes, the timer clock is ticking away isn't it!!

 

[Merylj]

Robin,
The ribbon is a great idea, I won`t ask you to post us those Mickey heads, though it is a very kind offer.

We booked this cruise 4 months ago and now we only have another 4 months to wait - how time flies.

Merylj

 

[Cruisin]

Merylj, you could easily make your own lime green Mickey heads.

Just get some green paper and cut out the shape of Mickey's head and there you go!! I laminated mine so they would last longer.

 

[wintermom]

Just wanted to mention our experience in Nassau. Our first
Disney Cruise we just got off the boat for a few hours and took
one of the horse drawn carriarge rides, it was not too great as
our driver didn't tell us what we were looking at our any of the island history. Then we walked through the straw market, didn't care for that too much, about what you would expect.

Last year (our second trip on Disney Wonder) we rented a room at the Comfort hotel next to Atlantis.
Its about $180.00. We spent the whole day at Atlantis and had a
fantatic time, we played all day, the beach, the small inlet cove,
the pools the water slides. It was a blast.

I have also read on these boards that there is a hotel you can go to that lets you have access to their beach and pool for free.
I am sorry I can't remember the name of it but on crystal beach.
Maybe I can do a seach and come up with the name. Its not
as fancy as Atlantis but its supposed to nice too. I think you have to bring your own towel there.

Anyway, we will be doing Atlantis or this crystal beach , when in
the bahamas, you want to be on the beach. We thought Atlantis
was fantastic and very, very safe and secure.

Just thought you like another idea for the day.

Bye the way, we have a DD age 7. Any other little girls out their?

Wintermom