05/09/2009 May 9, 2009 7-Night Eastern St Maarten... Watch Out!

[MouseNDaHouse]

Oops! I thought of something else.. we have a 12:30 flight back to boston on the 16th.. what is the best way and most cost effective to get to the airport? We don't want to rent a car so if anyone know of shuttle/car services that would great.

I just happened to be reading this thread last night - has some helpful advice and really made me think about renting a car for at least the first leg of our journey.

(We're staying on-site for a couple of nights prior to the cruise and then heading straight to the airport after the cruise.)

disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2057927
(Sorry - I have to post one more time before I can post live links apparently!)

 

[scottie]

Hello everyone..

just wanted to confirm we don't need to need to "pre-book" kids for the "club" correct? don't we just check them in when get on board? or how does that work.. we have a 3 and a 4 year old.

thanks!

You have a couple of options! The one I like best is once you have made final payment and the booking window opens for online “stuff”, I just sign in on the DCL site and enter our kids info and the password I want to use to get them out of the club and hit save! Once we get to port, they have an area setup to confirm the info you entered online and give you the pager.
If you prefer to not do it online ahead of time, you can just register them at the port when you get there and get your pager. You can also do it on the ship ( or at least I think you still can) if you want to think about it first and checkout the place.
If you think your 3 yr old may prefer some time in Flounders Nursery, you likely would want to book some hours in online prior to sailing to ensure it doesn’t fill up. If you think the Oceaneer Club is A-OK for them then no need to worry about Flounders online.

 

[scottie]

Oops! I thought of something else.. we have a 12:30 flight back to boston on the 16th.. what is the best way and most cost effective to get to the airport? We don't want to rent a car so if anyone know of shuttle/car services that would great.

The DCL bus would likely get you there on-time, but I would prefer to do a private transfer to be sure. Are there 7 of you going back to the airport? if so, a Suburban or Van would work. There are several companies out there. Some I have heard pretty good stuff about include happy limo and tiffany towncar. Some have also used another company that isn’t allowed to post on here anymore but those who have used them enjoy their services I think it is ****** or something like that.
We use a gentleman that has one suburban and not a big fleet and he will be driving us so I can lend him out to you, sorry I believe he has a group together of drivers who just have one vehicle so you may get more personalized service. Let me know if you want link to the site.

 

[scottie]

OK so let me ask this if you were me and your DD's where 4 and 7 and night owls, and eat dinner between 5-7 (Because of our work schedules) what dinning time would you pick early or late? I don't want to feel rushed for dinner. Also are we considered young children or mixed aged kids??? Right now I am down for early but I think that Late might be the way to go thinking that they must have us as " young kids" and we would eat at 8pm

Just our preference as a family, but we prefer to eat on the ship at the late seating times (8:00/8:15/8:30) because we feel like we are not rushed as much to finish our day time activities up. We come back to the room clean up, go to the show, then head to dinner a bit after the show is over. We like this and we have no problem finding something for the kids to eat say about 3-5pm if they feel hungry at that time. As our kids have gotten a little older, they also tend to eat with the kids clubs in the buffet restaurant and skip dinner with us and I think that is around 5:30-6:30pm. I have a feeling our youngest, Dylan, may decide he wants to try this also this cruise. He will be close to 4 yrs at sailing. There are families who are firm believers in early seating’s and others in late and some who really are happy either way. We are probably the happy either way bunch; just find ourselves asking for late seating.

Not sure on what the mixed age thing means but I would guess yours are considered young kids and the mix part comes in when close to teens or teens are also in the party. I am not sure on this but my guess. Hopefully someone knows better then I do on this subject. I would venture a guess if you go for a late seating time you would look at 8:00 or 8:15, but always the chance of an 8:30 I guess. You can double check with DCL and see what they think and you can also request a specific time like 8pm but they cant promise it.

 

[airtime247]

Wow, this thread sure exploded in a hurry!

First, no I don't have any insider info. I was just basing my assumption on past experience and what the PassPorter book said. I'm fine with either APLAPLA or LAPLAPL. I would personally rather not do PLAPLAP because us wanting to book Palo for the third night would make us miss the show in Animator's Palate. Go figure though as Parrot Cay is my favorite of the three.

From what I've read, APL is (was?) the most popular among groups with small kids because of the extra night in Animator's Palate. A group with only adults would generally be put in LAP for the extra night in Lumiere's. That would leave groups with older kids with PLA.

I've heard of people who had their hearts set on a particular rotation who went to change it the first day. I believe it was in Rockin Bar D. A listing for dining changes should be in the Navigator.

For our first Disney cruise, we called in and requested to be seated in APL and they were able to accommodate it. On our second cruise, we also requested APL but then we were dining with 70 other DISers so I had to work directly with DCL's dining coordinator!

We have always done late seating but our DD's witching hour begins around 6:30 so we booked main seating. Speaking of that, if anyone here with young kids would like to link reservations and join us for early seating, we'd love to dine with you. We are Steve (35), DW Amy (younger than I am but she would kill me for posting it online), and DD Emma (3).

-steve

 

[scottie]

Told my wife that you might be interested in the 12 Meter Regatta and she seemed relieved that I might have someone else to go with!
(Even if we're able to get the kids situated somehow, I don't think she really wants to be away from them that long in foreign lands...)

After chatting with my wife, Sunny, last night more about the ports I think I may be unofficially cleared to take you up on the 12 Meter Regatta excursion!
I wonder what time they offer it and where they drop us back off at after? Just trying to figure out if I can meet up with my wife, MIL and kids in town while they are shopping after we are done.

Scott

 

[scottie]

Here is a great link for anyone trying to plan their onboard expenses. It allows you to estimate tips for your cruise based on the number of people in your

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

After chatting with my wife, Sunny, last night more about the ports I think I may be unofficially cleared to take you up on the 12 Meter Regatta excursion!
I wonder what time they offer it and where they drop us back off at after? Just trying to figure out if I can meet up with my wife, MIL and kids in town while they are shopping after we are done.

Scott

I'm posting this so I can hit my 10th post...the next post will have a link with all that info!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

I'm posting this so I can hit my 10th post...the next post will have a link with all that info!

Here's the FAQs on the 12 Metre Regatta - should allow plenty of time for other things...like shopping w/your apparently addicted-to-shopping family or butterfly farming.

http://www.12metre.com/faq.htm

I hope this works out for us - would be cool to sail w/someone I 'know'!

 

[scottie]

Here's the FAQs on the 12 Metre Regatta - should allow plenty of time for other things...like shopping w/your apparently addicted-to-shopping family or butterfly farming.

http://www.12metre.com/faq.htm

I hope this works out for us - would be cool to sail w/someone I 'know'!

Here's the FAQs on the 12 Metre Regatta - should allow plenty of time for other things...like shopping w/your apparently addicted-to-shopping family or butterfly farming.

http://www.12metre.com/faq.htm

I hope this works out for us - would be cool to sail w/someone I 'know'!

Congrats on your now 11th post!

I wonder if the Disney Cruise is locked into just one of those sailing times they list? I emailed DCL just now to see if they can tell me. I think I would prefer to do one of the earlier two, how about you?
It’s not real clear if they provide transport to the marina. The DCL excursion site mentions walking back to town or the ship after so I guess its close and no transport needed?
As for shopping, yes my wife and MIL are very good at that and feel compelled to do it at every foreign location they can! I am having a hard enough time convincing them we are doing a beach day in St Thomas!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Congrats on your now 11th post!

I wonder if the Disney Cruise is locked into just one of those sailing times they list? I emailed DCL just now to see if they can tell me. I think I would prefer to do one of the earlier two, how about you?
It’s not real clear if they provide transport to the marina. The DCL excursion site mentions walking back to town or the ship after so I guess its close and no transport needed?
As for shopping, yes my wife and MIL are very good at that and feel compelled to do it at every foreign location they can! I am having a hard enough time convincing them we are doing a beach day in St Thomas!

Yeah - I'm pretty sure that you get maybe one or two options for this one and I agree that the earlier one is better - gives us a better chance at quality time with the family at midday.

 

[YenSid1222]

For those who have sailed before, I just found out that our Cruise Director should be Christiaan. He is my favorite.

 

[scottie]

Yeah - I'm pretty sure that you get maybe one or two options for this one and I agree that the earlier one is better - gives us a better chance at quality time with the family at midday.

Ok here is the 411 from DCL in regards to the excursion. Looks like it is typically the first excursion of the day and just a quick boat ride over to the marina.

The 12-Metre Regatta (12 years & older) (SM-04) is described this way:


Be a part of the most exciting water sport event in the Caribbean! Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, put the wind in your sails and become a crew member on a vessel that’s competed in America's Cup. Train to grind a winch, trim a sail and punch a stopwatch just like the experts; or just sit back, enjoy the spectacular view and feel the wind on your face.


*Tender boat ride to yachts approximately 2 - 5 minutes
*Guests board the yacht from the tender boat using a ramp
*Sailing experience approximately 3 hours
*Guests have the choice of participating in an active or non-active role
**The number of yachts used depends on the number of guests that have signed up for the excursion
*At the completion of the excursion, Guests may walk into the downtown area or return back to the ship


The meeting time on the ship for this excursion is listed as 8:15am. However, this is subject to change. When you go online at www.disneycruise.com > My Disney Cruise > My Cruise Plans to pre-reserve the excursion, it will give you the proper time.

 

[scottie]

For those who have sailed before, I just found out that our Cruise Director should be Christiaan. He is my favorite.

Not had the chance to sail with him as cruise director before, but have heard great things!

 

[scottie]

I decided to check my flights again and to my surprise the flight down has dropped another $10 per person! Nothing wrong with $50 more credit to fly SWA in the future! Still waiting for the flight back to drop

 

[scottie]

Just got an email reply back from the staff of the 12 meter regatta:

Scott, the Disney guests have the 8.30am regatta departure, you will be met at the gangway by 8.15am

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Just got an email reply back from the staff of the 12 meter regatta:

Scott, the Disney guests have the 8.30am regatta departure, you will be met at the gangway by 8.15am

That seems perfect! Totally looking forward to it.

 

[scottie]

That seems perfect! Totally looking forward to it.

And as an FYI- I have never sailed before but way looking forward to it too!

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

And as an FYI- I have never sailed before but way looking forward to it too!

Yeah - I'm a newbie, too. But you can bet that I'm totally visualizing being really studly at it.


BTW, Scott - when are you adding Natalia and me to the list for the meet group anyway? LOL

 

[scottie]

Yeah - I'm a newbie, too. But you can bet that I'm totally visualizing being really studly at it.


BTW, Scott - when are you adding Natalia and me to the list for the meet group anyway? LOL

Sweet, then I guess we will be watching out for each other, to ensure neither is knocked overboard by a swinging Boom!

Consider yourself updated on the front page now I guess all the excitement of the cruise and all the chatter on the thread I just lost track.