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

[scottie]

Hi all! Haven't been posting much lately but am back on site and ready to jump into super planning mode We will be heading down on an early flight on Friday before the cruise. We are deciding on whether to stick to our plan to stay at JW Marriott or head over to AKL for the night. We don't plan to go to any parks but would sure love to start the vacation off with Disney atmosphere

Welcome Back!

We stayed at AKL for the night before our cruise last Feb for the same exact reason.... to soak in a little Disney before hand. We didnt do any parks, just enjoyed all that is that AKL!
We didnt want to arrive at the port as late as the DCL bus would have got us there from AKL so we opted to book a private transfer from AKL to Port.

 

[lyn9856]

We are arriving on the 7th, staying in Orlando (my friend actually has to take a final that night on line) to do Sea World on Friday, before the ride over to Cape Canaveral and the Radisson. Since we are from the middle of the desert , I wanted a chance for my DD Hannah to play in the ocean before we actually get on the ship. She has never since the ocean before.

I always find that perspective absolutely amazing...and so special. In UK I think we take the coast for granted. Even living in the middle of the country ( as I do) we are still only a couple of hrs drive from the sea. And many primary schools arrange school trips for youngsters to visit seaside. I am also amazed how many people go on a Disney cruise...but have never been to DisneyWorld. And my guess is that its the ocean thats one of the deciding factors.
Also, cheap holidays to Europe are so accessible for us because of such short travel distances. Distances are hard for us to imagine for those living in more central US.

Take lots of pics of Hannah...and try to post some for us to see
Lyn x

 

[scottie]

Is the Sunday of our cruise..ie Formal night ....Mothers Day in USA? Or have I got it wrong?

Wonder if DCL might do some special touches?

You got it right, the second night of our cruise is Mothers Day... and a happy belated Mothers Day to you! I guess I learn something new every day!

We have sailed the 4-night cruise three times on Mothers day and there was nothing extra special that DCL did for it. I think they may have given a flower to the moms one year and had a few decorations in place but that was about it. I am guessing they dont do much more for the 7-night sailings.

 

[lyn9856]

You got it right, the second night of our cruise is Mothers Day... and a happy belated Mothers Day to you! I guess I learn something new every day!

We have sailed the 4-night cruise three times on Mothers day and there was nothing extra special that DCL did for it. I think they may have given a flower to the moms one year and had a few decorations in place but that was about it. I am guessing they dont do much more for the 7-night sailings.

Well poo face DCL! Most restaurants or places do something don't they! A flower or a free drink. The restaurant I went to with my Mum, the Mums all got a mini bottle of wine and some choc..nicely wrapped.

Well I'm guessing that every family on board will make it special anyway.

I've made a note to myself to do an extra door picture magnet thingy...that will wish all Mums a Happy Mothers day!!

 

[scottie]

Commit me now! I just realized I have been checking the 10-day forecast for Cape Canaveral and Orlando every day for the past few days. We don’t even leave for over a month! I mean I must need counseling or something

 

[lyn9856]

Commit me now! I just realized I have been checking the 10-day forecast for Cape Canaveral and Orlando every day for the past few days. We don’t even leave for over a month! I mean I must need counseling or something

ha ha
That goes along with being glued to the Two Palms webcam every Saturday pm to watch the Magic go past

These things just have to be done

 

[ufcabear]

Howdy All - It is amazing how each day something revolves around "the cruise." It seems that everything I buy has a "cruise" involvement. For example: I bought a new pair of capris - they will look great on "the cruise." Forget the other days of my life that I will wear them, and the new bathing suits, sandals, pajamas... We all need our fix, don't we?

Also, Happy Mother's Day, Lyn (a little late.) I would also like to bring my babies, two married daughters, one is 25 and the other 29. That would be so fun. I am trying to plan a little three night December Disney cruise to take my girls. Prices for some of the weeks around the holidays are looking favorable.

Regarding Formal Night: I usually take a nice pair of black pants, ex, Chicos Travelers and then mix and match around those. Some people like to do the dress up thing and it is fun, I am too tired to fool with all that these days. So...black pants - here I come. I bought a new sparkly Chicos top that will take care of the formal night.

 

[SCDizneyDawn]

hi everyone! Hope all of you are having a great weekend!

Our pre and post plans are:
Arrive late friday night and spend the night at the Wingate Inn.
After the cruise we will be staying one post night at VWL (pool time during the day)and eating dinner at the Cal Grill. We fly home at 1pm on Sunday.

 

[airtime247]

We have been doing a lot of "for the cruise" shopping and planning as well. My wife found several cute tropical outfits at the Children's Place for our DD. They will be very comfortable for the parks and cruise.

I need to try my suit on to make sure it still fits. On DCL, I generally wear a full suit to formal night and Palo, lose the jacket but keep the tie for semi-formal, and wear tropical shirts w/slacks every other night.

We are thinking about getting a new stroller for this trip as well. We love our jogger but it's just too big to take on the cruise. We have a smaller stroller that is falling apart but it folds down so small which will be nice for storing in our small cabin as well as for lugging on WDW buses. It's hard to find small strollers with cup holders for us and DD, storage underneath, and some shade.

-steve

 

[scottie]

Just curious at this point as to what everyone thinks about a possible informal adult gathering at MagicQuest/Match your Mate the first night (assuming they still have it the first night)? I would guess we could track each other down via the green bracelets that most of the DIS group has.

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

Just curious at this point as to what everyone thinks about a possible informal adult gathering at MagicQuest/Match your Mate the first night (assuming they still have it the first night)? I would guess we could track each other down via the green bracelets that most of the DIS group has.

While I want to get together with everyone, I'm probably going to have to say no to the first night - This will be our first cruise as a family and I can't see Nat and me breaking away from the kids for the first evening! Have fun, though, if you do!

 

[1stime74]

Hi all,

We are arriving at WDW on May 3rd; staying the week at the Marriott Grand Vista (we own Marriott as well as DVC). After the cruise we are staying another week at the Marriott returning home on May 23rd. This is our big vacation away which includes our anniversary.

For formal night, I will wear a jacket and tie and my DW will wear a nice evening dress. Other than that, we don't dress up.

 

[dollysmom]

Just curious at this point as to what everyone thinks about a possible informal adult gathering at MagicQuest/Match your Mate the first night (assuming they still have it the first night)? I would guess we could track each other down via the green bracelets that most of the DIS group has.

I don't think we will beable to swing the first night either. Especially at that hour. Maybe another night when they have something going on in the adult clubs. Have fun for those of you who do get together. Would love to do match your mate and magicquest, just wish they were not on the first night.

 

[scottie]

I agree, it may be hard for us to escape that first night too... since we will likely be pretty worn out from the first day of excitement!!
I think we will give showing up for a bit a shot though (well at least myself) since the postings I have been reading have peaked my interest.

Steve- I know stroller shopping all too well for trips! Seems like every big Disney trip we have taken over the past several years we found ourselves out shopping for a new one to tackle the parks/ship. This will be our first time we dont plan to use one very much so will likely just bring a basic umbrella type one. Sad to know my kids are growing up so fast.

 

[Royfam]

Just bought a new umbrella stroller! we left our last one in mexico while on our last Disney cruise . My DH had an allergic reaction to something and as we hurried back to the ship for benadryl. It got left behind on the tour bus We almost don't need one anymore but I want to have one just incase.

We arrive at MCO on fri. we are staying the night at BCV so the kids can go swimming. The next morning we're taking private transportation to port (with a stop for water). We fly home sat after the cruise, but we are doing the day pass at the Hyatt for the kids. Our LONG flight isn't till 6:30pm and I don't want to sit with my kids and all our luggage at the airport all day and then deal with them on the flight

We don't really do the formal thing. Mostly due to luggage restrictions. It's never seemed to be a problem and we've never seemed to be really out of place (no more then normal) Really anything goes
No they (DCL) DO NOT do anything for mother's day. We were on the 15nt west Panama Canal Cruise last year which fell on mother's Day, and they did nothing. But It was a pretty GREAT place to be with my family on mother's day

 

[Mastiff]

royfam,

We have a pretty similar schedule. We will be staying at the Poly for a few days before the cruise and then doing the day pass at Hyatt MCO after the cruise. See you at the pool!

Just wondering what company are you using for transportation from WDW to Port and what kind of car did you get? Just curious, I haven't booked that yet.

Does anyone else have suggestions for car service/limo company?

Thanks,
Kim

 

[airtime247]

royfam,

We have a pretty similar schedule. We will be staying at the Poly for a few days before the cruise and then doing the day pass at Hyatt MCO after the cruise. See you at the pool!

Just wondering what company are you using for transportation from WDW to Port and what kind of car did you get? Just curious, I haven't booked that yet.

Does anyone else have suggestions for car service/limo company?

Thanks,
Kim

We are getting a town car service from AKV to Port Canaveral and then back to BWV after the cruise. We ended up going with Happy Limo. They had a discount code through Mousesavers of MS5569. It wasn't much but covered the cost of the car seat.

We will try to make the late show the first night but can't commit yet. We'll see how DD is doing her first night on the ship. It usually takes her a day to adjust. If she seems okay with it, we'll be there.

If we get enough people posting meets like these or excursions, I can make another page. It might be neat to see what other people are doing and to see if any DIS pals will be joining you.

It would also be a good place to put any formal meets we plan.

Speaking of the site, I updated it again tonight with Royfam/Jen's info and pictures.

-steve

 

[lyn9856]

Just curious at this point as to what everyone thinks about a possible informal adult gathering at MagicQuest/Match your Mate the first night (assuming they still have it the first night)? I would guess we could track each other down via the green bracelets that most of the DIS group has.

We might stop by for a little while
One of the things we intend to do this cruise is visit the adult areas a little more
Last year we somehow never seemed to find the time to do anything!
We don't play bingo, and aren't much into participtaing in games/activities...but we do enjoy watching others!
Will keep bracelets on (not for photos tho lol) and look for others!
We have late dinner, so will prob wander along after
DH is quite interested in the match your mate...we presuming it's similar to our UK Mr & Mrs?

 

[YenSid1222]

Hello Fellow Cruisers,

Haven't posted in a while since I had to go out of town for my grandmother's funeral...

Today I am back at work and the lay offs have arrived. I seem to be safe, but it is happening all around me as I type this.

Still, I could really use some pixie dust if anyone has some to spare. I am scared to think I could be one of the next to be visited by an empty box.

 

[scottie]

If anyone would like to get into the cruise mood a little more- The DIS Podcasts have been doing some segments recently on The Disney Cruises. I am listening to the 3/4 Discussion now and they are on part 2 of the cruise info. Something to help make the days pass on by!