06/11/05 7- Night West Coast Cruise

[Monstro]

Dawnee and family in picture 31. Check out picture 30 We have a lot of cute kids on this cruise. It is going to be fun watching the excitment in their faces.

Jeff

 

[StewieL]

Hey guys,

Contrary to rumors that we were swept away by a Sunami, we are really here. We've been silent because, well, DD #2 just got engaged, so we had to switch gears to plan engagement party and thing wedding thoughts. I think they should just go on a cruise and get married at sea.

Anyway, lots of excitement. GD Simone (3.5) packed yesterday, since her Mom and Dad are leaving in a few days, and I don't think thereis a "princess dress" not in her suitcase. GS Quinn is pleanty excited too, and it's a blast for us listening to them talk about this cruise and they have no idea what's in store.

Got our docs. We sent info for Dis tags and tour. We are also bringing a stroller, because ships are big, and weather can be warm and kids are kids.

Anyone have any idea how many keychains/postcards are needed for our group?

Anyone have any ideas about the little kids on formal nights? Any of the little boys wearing suits? My GS (age 6) has some nice button down shirts, but that's about all. Do we need to get fancier than that?

Is anyone bringing laptop? I always travel with mine, and wonder if there is a possibility of getting on line with my computer anywhere? Anyone know the deal?

Looking forward to seeing all. Will try to stay on board this week. Working next weekend.

Stewart and Marilyn

 

[Grandma Debby]

Go to the "LIVE from the Inaugural" thread and find a post from DebWills - click on her name and then go to her homepage - she has posted the movies and schedule for formal night, etc. - she is on board now and is updating her home page - FANTASTIC info
Debby

 

[Stinasmom]

Go to the "LIVE from the Inaugural" thread and find a post from DebWills - click on her name and then go to her homepage - she has posted the movies and schedule for formal night, etc. - she is on board now and is updating her home page - FANTASTIC info
Debby

Very good information! It is at:
http://allearsnet.com/cruise/dcl_west.shtml
It looks like we are not in store for any other "theme" nights besides Pirate, semi, and formal. At least I know I don't have to pack anything too unusual (ie. bell bottoms or a poodle skirt!) Also, it was advised to pack pants or sweats and a sweatshirt as their first sea day was actually cold!
Sure wish we were going to get the kind of send off this first WC cruise did! Oh well, I will be just so happy to be on the ship!
See you all soon!
Marcy

 

[lkohawaii]

I'm printing our nametags right now. Ran into some snags this morning...but I think I'm ready. I'm so excited.


Sherri

 

[Monstro]

I'm printing our nametags right now. Ran into some snags this morning...but I think I'm ready. I'm so excited.


Sherri

We are too!!!

lkohawaii,
Can you e-mail me the list of cabin numbers one more time?

Thanks.

 

[StewieL]

Hey fellow Magical mystery tour sailors.......

I am reading some of the threads from the ongoing maiden voyage from San Pedro, and I realize that non-californians usually think California is like Florida. Just ain't so.

This time of year, 50's in the early AM and PM. 59 degrees outside right now, and we live at the beach near Malibu. Daytime high today at the beach was 77. Humidity is essentially nil (less than 30%).

Advice: Bring Sweats and long pants for the first day. It will get warmer as we head south, and by second day it will be warm most of the day. Still, this is not like Caribbean. It is not usually humid at all, so the evenings will be cooler. You won't need jackets, but you'll be comfy.


Of course, after all this advice, my little GD Simone would not let us pack a single pair of pants, because they don't "twirl". Girls are girls smentines, and this one is just like her Mom was at her age.

See you all in about 12 days.

We'll be driving down at about 11AM.

Stewart and Marilyn

 

[Monstro]

Dizneygirl and some of her party has been added. They are in picture #30.

Dianna,
Marissa reminds my wife and I of our oldest daughter Stephanie when she was about that age. She's now 17.

Very cute kids!!!

 

[lkohawaii]

We are too!!!

lkohawaii,
Can you e-mail me the list of cabin numbers one more time?

Thanks.

Jeff,
I'll send it one more time. Remember I told you it's in a Printmaster program that nobody has. If it doesn't come out I'll fax it or snail mail it to you. PM me and let me know what you want. Just for everybody's info. We have catagories 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, & 11 represented.

 

[dizneygirl]

Is anyone familiar enough with the places we are going in Mexico to give advice on excursions? We have booked excursions for all 3 places and I'm wondering....with a 2 year old and 4 year old, what are the best ones to do? I just don't want to spend all this money on excursions and find it was better to stay on the ship and just do our own thing once we get there. I've never been to Mexico before so I am very excited. We are doing the Pirate Sail and Snorkel, a Tequila, Saddles and Huarachas tour in Mazatlan a snorkeling tour in Cabo. However, my parents are taking the little ones to a resort that day for us because they are too little. Any advice on tours with little ones? I hope I booked good excursions because they are pretty pricey!

Jeff, glad you got the pictures. That's neat that Marissa looks like your daughter when she was little. Hope to be able to meet her. Will she be hanging out in the "teen" area? That's where my oldest will be, too.

Thanks!
Dianna (dizneygirl)

 

[StewieL]

Dianna,

We've been to Mexico many times. The best bet with kids that age ( 2 and 4) is a beach. Best to have some place with beach and pool, and there are anumber of resorts that Disney has set up with (see excursions). You will be able to find a load of vendors at the pier or wherever we get off tenders. They will be selling, selling, selling, so take your time and go over to tour agency area. There will be pleanty of them.

This brings me to a point......if you speak Spanish, try to converse in Spanish. There is a higher level of respect and admiration that comes with speaking in their native language, even if you butcher it (as I do). Marilyn is fluent (she taught bilingual special ed for years), and it helps a lot.

Another point: If you are going to beach, Marilyn just bought a "waterproof beach blanket" that is good "family size" and collapses nicely. If you are going to beach with kids, you will need this. She got it at Costco, and when I get home I will check the manufacturer and get back to all. Also, should have one or two collapsible bags (or a backpack) with kids 2 and 4

Everything is open to negotiation in Mexico. Never forget that. Therefore, be patient and enjoy the process of setting up a day tour. There is everything you could want available.

Back to the kids....Cabo is known for resorts. We wanted to snorkel but didn't get in on the excursion from Magic. Looks like all booked for now. I was going to go with Quinn (6) and Marilyn was going to go to the beach with Simone (3.5). Kids + Beach always = success. At 2 and 4 you can take them to a beach where you can also do horseback riding (adults). You will find a beach with parasailing (adults). All this and the kids are ok too. I am checking into snorkling "vendors" but am sure I will find more than one waiting for the Magic.

Hope this helps.

 

[Monstro]

We are doing the Pirate Sail and Snorkel, a Tequila, Saddles and Huarachas tour in Mazatlan a snorkeling tour in Cabo. However, my parents are taking the little ones to a resort that day for us because they are too little. Any advice on tours with little ones? I hope I booked good excursions because they are pretty pricey!

Thanks!
Dianna (dizneygirl)

We're on the Pirate Sail and Snorkel also. I'm glad it's on the same day as Pirate night.

 

[StewieL]

Hello everyone,

The name of the "roll up blanket" I was talking about is "The Neat Sheet". You can go to theneatsheet.com for their website or call 1-800-457-9659. It's pretty cool, and looks like a "tarp" and says it repels sand and water, and is cloth-like and stays cool in the hot sun.

It looks like it can easily be fit flat in a suitcase. Cost was $10.00

Stewart

 

[lkohawaii]

I'm closing up my computer in school after I post this and I'm leaving our Aloha State tonight. The next time I talk to all of you will be aboard the Magic. Everyone have a safe trip and I'll see you in a week and a half.

Sherri

If you need something Dawn is here for another week PM her.

 

[JanetMB]

I'm closing up my computer in school after I post this and I'm leaving our Aloha State tonight. The next time I talk to all of you will be aboard the Magic. Everyone have a safe trip and I'll see you in a week and a half.

Sherri

If you need something Dawn is here for another week PM her.

Have fun at Disneyland! See you on the Magic!

 

[dizneygirl]

I know some of you have been on cruises to Mexico before. This is our first one. Can any of you tell me if you can book a beach excursion once you get to Mazatlan? I want to change from the Tequila and Saddles tour but all beach excursions are booked so I can't book on through Disney. Any info you give would be great. I heard the Tequila and Saddles tour is not really for kids. When we dock in Mazatlan, what do we do to find out if we can do something else?

Thank you,
Dizneygirl

 

[Monstro]

I know some of you have been on cruises to Mexico before. This is our first one. Can any of you tell me if you can book a beach excursion once you get to Mazatlan? I want to change from the Tequila and Saddles tour but all beach excursions are booked so I can't book on through Disney. Any info you give would be great. I heard the Tequila and Saddles tour is not really for kids. When we dock in Mazatlan, what do we do to find out if we can do something else?

Thank you,
Dizneygirl

Dizneygirl,

If you are booked on an excursion you don't want - you need to cancel it at least two days before the cruise. Otherwise - you could be charged for it. I'm sure Disney could find someone to take your spot, but they could also play hardball and charge you.


Jeff

 

[Monstro]

Disneygirl,

We didn't like any of the shore excursions in Mazatlan so we are renting day rooms on the beach - see posts 41 and 42 (on this thread) for more details. I can give you contact info for the hotel if you want to check into it.

Jeff

 

[pppiglet]

Been away from a computer and home for 5 days and boy you guys got active! Love the new photos and storyline Monstro! Can't wait to meet everyone!

 

[Dawnee]

Moving us up to page 1!

Lkohawaii is in San Fran right now, and we meet in DL on Tuesday. I haven't even started packing yet! YIKES! 50lbs is not too much weight to pack, I had a hard time keeping it under 70lbs when it was 70! I can't imagine trying to keep it below 50!

Monstro, Grandma Debby will be joining us (Lkohawaii and I) on Thursday at Club Libby Lu 1pm just FYI.