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

[Eeyore77]

FYI- Some BIG News... I was just reading a post (that I included below) that states only two dining times again on the Magic and a new feature for late dining and the kids club.

This is very interesting news. I just spoke to DCl a week ago and they didn't mention anything about it. They did say that they don't always know what is going on on the ship... My grandmother will be happy either way cause she just likes to eat early. 5:45 is a little earlier than I a used to, but at least I will still have time to do stuff after dinner and not go to bed feeling like I am about to roll down the hall. I say that as I sit here and watch The Biggest Loser.

As for the fuel surcharge I am really excited about it. I have been watching the price of a barrel of oil for months now, praying it would stay down. Every dollar counts these days...

 

[Eeyore77]

I would think that it would be alittle congested getting into the dining room all at the same time? I can't say for sure, I have never cruised before. Anyone who has sailed before ever have both - one dining time and staggered? What was your expereince and what have you preferred?

We have early dining so the new kids club feature doesn't effect us.

Yes I have sailed when they had both and the truth is I never really noticed the difference. Since there are 3 different restaurants people are all going in different directiosn so it's not like they are all going to one place. The staggered dining was ok too, but that meant that if you had the last late dining than you were the last one to get up to the pirate party and this way you all get a fair chance to get a descent spot.

 

[scottie]

I would think that it would be alittle congested getting into the dining room all at the same time? I can't say for sure, I have never cruised before. Anyone who has sailed before ever have both - one dining time and staggered? What was your expereince and what have you preferred?

We have early dining so the new kids club feature doesn't effect us.

Yes I have sailed when they had both and the truth is I never really noticed the difference. Since there are 3 different restaurants people are all going in different directiosn so it's not like they are all going to one place. The staggered dining was ok too, but that meant that if you had the last late dining than you were the last one to get up to the pirate party and this way you all get a fair chance to get a descent spot.

We have also been on DCL cruises with both dininig options. I agree we really dont notice a difference in crowds with the non staggered seating vs staggered.

I think I recall reading a while back the staggered was more of a help to the kitchens? I am ok if this is going to stick (at least through our cruise) because we do like to eat at the earlier side of the late seating so 8:15 works for us- it is actually what we requested for this cruise.

I guess it was just a matter of time till the Magic went back to non-staggered seating since the Wonder did it a little while back. Of course DCL is ALWAYS subject to change so who knows what we will be going on when we cruise in a few weeks!!

 

[Eeyore77]

We have also been on DCL cruises with both dininig options. I agree we really dont notice a difference in crowds with the non staggered seating vs staggered.

I think I recall reading a while back the staggered was more of a help to the kitchens? I am ok if this is going to stick (at least through our cruise) because we do like to eat at the earlier side of the late seating so 8:15 works for us- it is actually what we requested for this cruise.

I guess it was just a matter of time till the Magic went back to non-staggered seating since the Wonder did it a little while back. Of course DCL is ALWAYS subject to change so who knows what we will be going on when we cruise in a few weeks!!

I had no idea that the wonder had switched. The last time I was on there was the members cruise last Sept. and they still had it. That was a while ago, when did they offically change it?

 

[1stime74]

Ours came today by UPS.

 

[Royfam]

Have a question for who ever... Got our packet as did my SIL she asked me a ? and I don't know the answer so I'm throwing out there to all of you. In our "Travel booklet" on the page that says CRUISE INFORMATION on top right corner, everything says $.00 except GVMT TAXES & FEES there's an amount then at the bottom it says next to TOTAL CHARGES :CONTRACT RATE. I thinks thats because we booked threw DVC. so....... Here's my ?? (finally) do we still owe that amount (the taxes) or are they just saying what we already payed?:

 

[Royfam]

Hey scott... after you mentioned the show on DIY, had to watch it we did not have DIY so I talked my DH into ordering it... needless to say we got it and I watched it I even recorded it so I could get my fix when ever. I wanted to see more, I don't think I could see enough right now

 

[scottie]

I had no idea that the wonder had switched. The last time I was on there was the members cruise last Sept. and they still had it. That was a while ago, when did they offically change it?

Not exactly sure. The 6/29/08 Wonder Navigator scan shows the non-staggered. The 5/08 scan shows staggered, so somewhere between those sailings I guess. If you were in the fall and had staggered then maybe they wanted to use that seating method for the special DVC cruise for some reason and flipped back to it? I havent really kept up on Navigators so I am not sure if the Wonder has been going back and forth for the last 10 months or not. I think I have read that the Wonder has been non-staggered for the most part for while now.

 

[scottie]

Hey scott... after you mentioned the show on DIY, had to watch it we did not have DIY so I talked my DH into ordering it... needless to say we got it and I watched it I even recorded it so I could get my fix when ever. I wanted to see more, I don't think I could see enough right now

Happy you enjoyed! I agree, I wish the show went on for several hours... instead of just one! I also have it taped and have watched it with the kids a few times now.


As for the DVC thing... we havent booked on points for a few years now but we didnt have to pay anything extra for taxes back then. Hopefully thats still the case.

Now that we are on one seating time for the late seating (or so it seems)... I guess we will be sure to get to see too much of each other- no food fights ok?

 

[j2bmickey]

If you have extra space, I will pay you to be my taxi to the airport beach!

Last time I did this cruise I started with the Under two nations tour then took a cab to the beach there. I just loved hanging out watching the planes come overhead. I am hoping this time that planes will be taking off toward the island so I can watch people get blown in the water by jetwash.

We got pretty small cars to help with parking and narrow streets, so I don't know that there would be room. Maybe we could use you as a hood ornament.

 

[j2bmickey]

Happy you enjoyed! I agree, I wish the show went on for several hours... instead of just one! I also have it taped and have watched it with the kids a few times now.

We don't have DIY so didn't get to see it.

Perhaps we can convince one of our awesome, super nice, fellow DIS'ers to burn a copy. There's no copyright issues as long as you don't make a profit right?

 

[MouseNDaHouse]

We don't have DIY so didn't get to see it.

Perhaps we can convince one of our awesome, super nice, fellow DIS'ers to burn a copy. There's no copyright issues as long as you don't make a profit right?

Okay - I watched the DIY show with my family and I have to be honest - I was disappointed. If you are REALLY into pressure washers that take paint off the boat then this show is for you. I enjoyed it a little bit since it was really cool to see the effort that goes into making a great cruise experience, but was really looking for more stuff on the finished product. I wanted my sneak preview of the new Mickey pool!!!

However, as you all know, I am a Disney freak. So I will admit that I will most likely watch it the next time it's on just because it says "Disney Magic" in the title! It may well become just like Office Space - every time it's on, I can't help but stop flipping channels and settle in!

Still awaiting cruise docs - may pass out from overexcitement - please someone pass me a xanax!

 

[airtime247]

scott- Do you know what time they do the 5K run? I might join i, if I can get up early enough to get everyone ready for the day. I don't know how my DH would do if I left him to get the kids up, dressed, feed, and to the beach by his self

They usually do it at 9:30 but I have seen it at 10am on a few Navigators. I don't think we'll know for sure until the night before.

At least our spouses wouldn't have to worry about coordinating our kids too much. As long as they can figure out how to get the bathing suits on, I think the rest can be done at CC!

We still haven't received our cruise docs yet. It looks like they are migrating west. I should have mine a day or two after Jeremy from Las Vegas.

-steve

 

[Royfam]

scott- no promises on the food fight... We're kind of a crazy bunch. I'm a little nerves we might be to loud for some reason when were all together everyone seems to get the giggles over everything so I apologize now, but your all free to come on over and have a few laughs with us!

 

[Royfam]

steve- do you run lots of marathons? I'm just starting. I ran the NIKE women's marathon in san fran the last 2 years. now I only did 1/2 but that was plenty, someday I hope do do a full.

 

[scottie]

scott- no promises on the food fight... We're kind of a crazy bunch. I'm a little nerves we might be to loud for some reason when were all together everyone seems to get the giggles over everything so I apologize now, but your all free to come on over and have a few laughs with us!

Fair Enough

 

[Sagbrook]

They usually do it at 9:30 but I have seen it at 10am on a few Navigators. I don't think we'll know for sure until the night before.

At least our spouses wouldn't have to worry about coordinating our kids too much. As long as they can figure out how to get the bathing suits on, I think the rest can be done at CC!

We still haven't received our cruise docs yet. It looks like they are migrating west. I should have mine a day or two after Jeremy from Las Vegas.

-steve

We are on East coast, and so far no docs! Am getting anxious. Maybe today!!

 

[scottie]

We are on East coast, and so far no docs! Am getting anxious. Maybe today!!

I feel your pain! I rushed home, after a lovely family outing to CiCis for some Mac and Cheese pizza, in hopes of discovering docs at the front door- no luck!

 

[don604]

No docs here either on the West coast...

 

[DisneyMommy1022]

Well I just got off the phone with the US Dept. of State about our passports and we have some good news, they are in the process of printing and should be to us in the next week. As for the cruise docs we are still waiting for them. My DH thinks I'm crazy because I kept looking out the window all day yesterday looking for the UPS man with my package. We are also waiting on our Pass Porter 2009 cruise book and our Kenny Chesney tickets for August. If the mail man could stop bringing bills and bring me some of the things that I have been running to the mail box for I would be such a HAPPY GIRL.

I'm going to start packing this weekend and finish up our shopping. I have to put the final touches on the FE gifts and get our box ready to ship to the port. Next weekend we have a wedding and the weekend after that I will have all the last min. stuff to to so I figured this is my last full weekend with nothing to do so I will take advantage. Still need to get the girls hair cut but will wait a bit longer for that because it grows sooo fast!!! I have an apt for the hair and nail salon next weekend before the wedding so it looks as if we are FINLAY getting there. The sad part about all this is it has taken me over a year to plan this trip and it will be over in one short (Hope its feels long) week!!!