1/10/09- EARLY Roll Call! Who's coming?

[Lollipop's Mom]

SOrry Jenn I can't help - Im a first timer! But it looks good!
We are going to go to the main buffet for lunch, but I heard one of the restaurants does some sort of asian buffet - animators maybe???

As for the deal - what a joke! What pizzes me off is the 12 yr old thing - why is disney suddenly deciding a child is 12 and under, yet everything else is 3-9 yrs old.
BUT I am also not ranting and upset - I figure its like a FL resident or Military discount - I don't qualify - whatever. We are certainly not going to pay $1000 in airfare so my daughter can cruise for free.
I think they are targeting those who normally just go to WDW and don't cruise, to get them hooked on cruising.

 

[thepeacekeeper]

Okay - I just found where I saw that you can add certain amounts of cash to your kids' KTTW cards. This year's Passporter on page 72, "Cruising with kids? You can give them full charging privileges, deny them any charge privileges, or place a limited amount of cash on their account. Whatever you decide, you can make changes later at the Guest Services desk on deck 3 midship."

HTH!!

Perfect, thanks a bunch!

 

[thepeacekeeper]

I'm in total agreement with the cruise deal. This is our 1st Disney cruise as well and while I'm certain we'll love it, we will probably tend to plan most of our future trips to WDW instead. Of course the fact we are Vacation Club members certainly helps guide our decision making process! Maybe the prices will drop a bit when the new ships set sail.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Prices won't drop - they will take the magic and wonder to Alaska and other places and they will be $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Then then the new ships will be at PC and because they are new, prices will be $$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!

 

[JanDave]

I've been hanging out here WAY too much - I feel like I'm dominating this board! I've needed to take it easy for the last few days with the stomach flu. Ugh.

Anyway, question for those of you who have cruised Disney before. I posted this on the main board too - hoping for a large number of responses! Here it is:
______________
I'm a VERY organized person (that's why I LOVE these boards!!). I need to know exactly what I need to do when I get on the ship and I know things will be much smoother because of it! So, here's my list so far:

Get tickets for Mad Hatter Tea Party (where do I do this?)

Not sure, Jenn, but start with GS.

Grab "All Aboard" navigator @GS

All Aboard Navigator will also be in your stateroom.

Spa Tour

Put money on kids' KTTW cards (where do I do this?)

I believe GS.

Eat lunch (where is the best place to do this?)

Topsiders and Parrot Cay are both buffets, but at PC, a server will take your drink orders. I prefer PC as it's more relaxing. However, there are many who prefer Topsiders as you have the choice of dining inside or outside. Other choices are Pinnochios, Plutos and the sandwich wrap, fruit and ice cream area (can't remember the name of this) which are all on deck 9 near the Mickey and family pools. /COLOR]

1:30 - go to room

3 pm - Dis meet!!

A MUST!!!!

3:30 - Safeth Drill
4:15 - Sail Away party
Get dressed for dinner (put our dressy clothes in carry on in case luggage doesn't make it - right?)

Your call, Jenn. Luggage usually arrives by 5 or 5:30 pm at the latest. On our October 2008 Magic cruise, our luggage was at our staterooms by 3 or 3:30 pm. The first night is not a "dressy" night.

I think that's it! Is there anything else that's a must do? How do I sign up for the martini/margarita/anything alcohol related testing? (Really, I'm not a lush!)

GS.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Just another addition to Jenn's list, there is a galley tour later in our cruise, usually Thursday. Get your complementary tickets at guest services.

Jenn - thinking about my DD and her DH with your question about packing items in your carrry on bags. Not sure if I posted this story on this thread and if I already have, oh well! DD and DSIL were on a September 2007 DCL cruise for their 10th anniversary (not my DD Lisa, by the way). They flew out of Detroit, got to MCO and boarded the Disney bus, just assuming their luggage would be at their stateroom later that day. DD took my suggestion about packing a bathing suit in their carry ons. By the time they went to dinner, no luggage. After dinner, no luggage. They went to GS and were told that DCL tracked down their luggage and it was at MCO. They had Palo ressies for Sunday night and, as the usual DCL to the rescue mantra, DD was given a black dress, shoes and jewelry. DSIL was given a tux, shoes, etc. Their luggage was flown to St. Martin on Tuesday at DCL's expense. Amazing story! This is the same DD who met Jonathan, their stateroom host, who was our stateroom host the year before.

Jan

 

[tinkluvr12]

Jan- I am SO glad you are on our cruise! I learn so much thru your posts! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Stephanie

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Thank you SO much Jan! I forgot about the galley tour. Is that the kitchen tour? Forgive my ignorance! I don't know what a galley even is!! But if it's on the Magic, I wanna' tour it!!!

What an amazing story! And, what a relief that they got their luggage! Did she get to keep the dress??

 

[thepeacekeeper]

I'm not only interested in the galley tour, but also any cooking demos like those listed in the Oct Navigators. I think I read through those darn things 5 times! The amount of things to do is truly overwhelming. I think both DW and I are going to be very glad we took a week off after the cruise!

I happened to notice that some folks have assigned certain families to certain days for distributing their FE goodies to try and spread out the festivities a little more evenly. Is this something we should talk about or should we just let nature take its course?

 

[tinkluvr12]

My DH & I are also interested in the "lush" tour with Jen and the cooking stuff with peacekeeper. It's amazing how much we will be able to pack into these days. I plan to sleep at home!

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I looked at the navigators and wondering when I can relax? LOL.

So movies I think might be playing:

Bolt
Bedtime Stories
Marley & Me

Any others?

 

[JanDave]

Jan- I am SO glad you are on our cruise! I learn so much thru your posts! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
Stephanie

I am certainly not an expert, but I love DCL cruising, as you can tell. I have not been on any other cruise line! Next month's DCL cruise is #11 for me, and I have two more in the planning stages. My DD wants to know how many cruises Carla and I will book while on board. If you see us at the reservation desk on deck 4, we're busted!

If you are even remotely thinking of cruising on DCL again, book on board to get the 10% discount (exception is booking at CAT 12) and the $200 on board credit. Once you leave the ship, that offer is gone. And, I believe the booking deposit is still 50% off. You can always move or cancel the cruise, if necessary(well in advance of the penalty phase).

I can't wait to meet all of you. 4 weeks and 2 days to go!!!!!

Jan

 

[JanDave]

The galley tour starts at Lumiere's. Your tickets (request them early in the cruise at GS) will indicate the time of your tour. In October, our group consisted of approx. 25 people. The tours are conducted by various chefs. It takes about 15-20 minutes. Interesting.

Well, I have to get ready for work to support two "loves" of my life -- grandparenting and cruising.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

What an amazing story! And, what a relief that they got their luggage! Did she get to keep the dress??

It certainly is an amazing DCL pixie dust story. She did not keep the dress. It was a loan. Kim washed their clothes frequently for several days. For two dinners in the dining rooms, DD wore capris and DSIL wore shorts.

Jan

 

[tiggerlover2]

OK, I will admit it, I AM a blonde! Today, looking at the countdown clocks, I thought we were going backwards! Yesterday, it said one month until our "magical cruise", and today it says 4 weeks plus 2 days. At first glance, to me, the verbage makes it seem loooonnnngggggeeerrrr, because I usually call 4 weeks a month for all intents and purposes!

One of my favorite places on the ship is Pluto's Doghouse! Chicken fingers and fries, yummy and, right across the way, ice cream with toppings and sprinkles! Woo Hoo!

My biggest thing that I have learned while cruising is to bring along fabric softener sheets. These sheets are a lifesaver! I use them to freshen the room, drawers, bathroom, etc. I rub them inside my clothing as a static guard/deterrent as I am severely allergic to bug repellant, but if you rub one of these sheets over you it will serve to repel bugs. If you wear a hat you can also slip it under your hat or tie it on the back strap as a further repellant for bugs & insects! This works great for golfers too! Of course you will smell "April fresh", but I can live with that!

 

[tiggerlover2]

My DH & I are also interested in the "lush" tour with Jen and the cooking stuff with peacekeeper. It's amazing how much we will be able to pack into these days. I plan to sleep at home!

Ditto, us too, for the "lush" tour!

 

[tiggerlover2]

I looked at the navigators and wondering when I can relax? LOL.

So movies I think might be playing:

Bolt
Bedtime Stories
Marley & Me

Any others?

When I called the 800#, the only one's I can remember that she said are:



Bolt
High School Musical 3
Wall E

 

[crainbow]

I've been hanging out here WAY too much - I feel like I'm dominating this board! I've needed to take it easy for the last few days with the stomach flu. Ugh.

Anyway, question for those of you who have cruised Disney before. I posted this on the main board too - hoping for a large number of responses! Here it is:
______________
I'm a VERY organized person (that's why I LOVE these boards!!). I need to know exactly what I need to do when I get on the ship and I know things will be much smoother because of it! So, here's my list so far:

Get tickets for Mad Hatter Tea Party (where do I do this?)
Grab "All Aboard" navigator @GS
Spa Tour
Put money on kids' KTTW cards (where do I do this?)
Eat lunch (where is the best place to do this?)
1:30 - go to room
3 pm - Dis meet!!
3:30 - Safeth Drill
4:15 - Sail Away party
Get dressed for dinner (put our dressy clothes in carry on in case luggage doesn't make it - right?)

I think that's it! Is there anything else that's a must do? How do I sign up for the martini/margarita/anything alcohol related testing? (Really, I'm not a lush!)

You get the Navigator when you check in for the cruise as well as the money on the KTTW card.

Lunch is a personnel preference. DW and I on the past two cruises have eaten at PC. Less crowded, didn't have to struggle to find a place to sit, and it had AC. Our previous cruises were in early fall and it was a wee tad warm sitting in the sun.

The first nights dinner is a relaxed affair as they know that you have not unpacked nor gotten clothes back from being pressed yet.

Oh, and one last thing. Relax.

Chuck

 

[crainbow]

Thank you SO much Jan! I forgot about the galley tour. Is that the kitchen tour? Forgive my ignorance! I don't know what a galley even is!! But if it's on the Magic, I wanna' tour it!!!

What an amazing story! And, what a relief that they got their luggage! Did she get to keep the dress??

Just some tips.

It is a ship, not a boat. Boats are under 150' or sink (submarine). Galley is the kitchen. Fore is forward, Aft is back. The water is distilled, so don't waste your money on bottled, that is only filtered at best. Port is the left side of the ship (facing to the bow), starboard is to the right. And to get even more technical a staircase is a ladder and the hall is a passageway (or p way).

The galley tour is interesting, but I would not rate it a "must do". If you have ever seen an industrial kitchen then you have seen a galley.

Relaxing and drinking fruity drinks with umbrella's in them are much more important.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

Peacekeeper - I just wanted to let you know that someone responded to my post on the general cruise board and they said that they think that is a mistake in the Passporter - that you can add a certain amount of money to your kids' KTTW cards. She's cruising in 10 days and will let me know if it's true when she gets back. I'll pass along whatever I find out!

Oh, and one last thing. Relax.

Chuck

Yup. Believe me, when I get there I will! I find that if I spend time planning before our vacations, that I have a much more relaxing time once I'm there. I want to get all of these details taken care of when I first get on the ship so that I can spend the rest of our time there relaxing. Travelling with a family of 6 (our trip there and back is 4 days alone!) is much more relaxed if I do this planning beforehand!