1/17/09 Magic anyone???

[fltink]

Hi Bruce,

My wife and I are both decided Canadians - that is, we weren't born here, but decided to be Canadian. OTOH, since we live in Toronto, then you, being from Alberta, might not consider us Canadian after all

This will be our first cruise of any kind. It's a 30th anniversary gift from me to my DW. I wasn't sure about cruises in general, but decided that if anyone did them well, it would be Disney, so the choice was easy.

I chose the Eastern Carribean because it has the most sea days, but know nothing about either St. Martin, or St.Thomas. (Actually, I spent about two hours in St. Thomas, but that was about 40 years ago.) We've done things in the Carribean before, so are not that worried about sight-seeing, so any suggestions on excursions? We thought we'd mostly stay on the ship, but wander off and do a little shopping sometime in the afternoon, but as we're mostly going for the ship and the cruise experience. Are there any excursions that anyone has done that are "not to be missed"? Neither of us are big on holding down a patch of sand, we've done quite a lot of sailing, and my wife doesn't swim, so she won't snorkle.

And any other suggestions about the cruise, or things we should or shouldn't do, or that you particularly enjoyed, would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Richard

Well, this advice has notthing to do with excursions, but do not miss brunch at Palo! It is to die for!

 

[Futurist]

Thanks, Tink! Much appreciated.

 

[fltink]

....or the Sailaway Parties....or the midnight chocolate buffet...or Disney Dreams........or 80's night in Rockin' Bar D.....

 

[CJH1102]

My family just booked the Eastern cruise. We're so excited !! We've been wanting to go back since we tried the 4-day cruise on the Wonder a few years ago. I hope we can meet some new friends before and during the cruise.

 

[CJH1102]

Hey toddlerhouse, I'm from Hillsborough, NC too. What a small world.

 

[owensjro]

Hey toddlerhouse, I'm from Hillsborough, NC too. What a small world.

Welcome aboard! Lots of us NC'ers on this cruise. I'd say we're all trying to escape the cold of winter but it doesn't get *that* cold here

We got our pre-planning cruise docs yesterday. Kind of exciting until you see there is still a month to go until we can start booking! We're thinking of doing the REAS package in which case we could book on Oct 4 instead of the 19. Not that there is much we want to book except Palo brunch and dinner.

Hope everyone stays safe with TS Hanna coming through tonight.

Jim

 

[CJH1102]

Welcome aboard! Lots of us NC'ers on this cruise. I'd say we're all trying to escape the cold of winter but it doesn't get *that* cold here

We got our pre-planning cruise docs yesterday. Kind of exciting until you see there is still a month to go until we can start booking! We're thinking of doing the REAS package in which case we could book on Oct 4 instead of the 19. Not that there is much we want to book except Palo brunch and dinner.

Hope everyone stays safe with TS Hanna coming through tonight.

Jim

Thanks Jim! Hope you and your family stays safe as well. This is one of those nights for curling up on the couch with popcorn and a movie.

 

[fltink]

Hope all of our cruisin' friends in the Carolinas are safe tonight!!!!

 

[The Dave Party]

The storm passed through Myrtle Beach without much damage and very quickly. (I'm working here through the end of the year). And the sun is already shining and the winds have calmed down. Looks like the Raleigh area got hit pretty hard though. Hope everyone is doing okay.

I was reading the report of the Magic that just arrived back from its 5 day voyage before dry dock. They had a smooth to rough voyage but Capt. Tom kept them safe and nearer to calmer waters. Thats great that they can still offer a Magical cruise with all the activity out in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

 

[CJH1102]

Well, we survived Hanna. It wasn't as bad as we thought it might be. We got serveral inches of rain but we needed it. Thanks for the well wishes.

Anyone know just how "formal" the formal night is on the cruise will be? Would a suit be okay for my hubby? I may not be able to get him in a tie, he hates them, maybe just an open collar shirt with a jacket. Also, what do they do that's special for previous Disney cruisers? This will be our second cruise.

 

[fltink]

On formal night you will see a huge variety in how dress people are. My family, we like to do it up as best as we can, though we never go as far as ball gowns and tuxedos! Usually my hubby wears a suit and tie and I wear a cocktail dress and heels. We have seen people as casual as kahki pants and a button down shirt, though. Disney won't say anything to you if you want to go on the casual side. I would definitely avoid jeans, shorts, sneakers, etc.

Where you have sailed before, you are now Castaway Club Members, which means a few things. #1- You can go onlone and book your excursions, spa treatments and Palo ressies at the 90 day mark, intead of having to wait until 60 days. #2- There is a seperate line that you may use to check into at the port, though we have found that often times, the regular line takes less time, depending on how many fellow passengers are Club Members. #3- You get a special gift in your cabin. The one we received in September of '07 had mesh bags, a bath toy, pens and notepads, a postcard, a water bottle and a couple of other little things. And #4- You get an invitation in your cabin to the Castaway Club Reception, which is held onboard, but we, personally, have never made it to. Any other Club Members think of anything I am forgetting??????

 

[CJH1102]

While on our first Disney cruise this past January (3 day Wonder), we booked for the 7 day Eastern for next January. Guess we liked it, huh?!

Our daughter will have just turned 15 in December, so she's hoping to find some friends around her age. Last time, she was pretty much on her own so the teen area could have been more fun had she been able to pal around with others.

The problem as she saw it was that so many groups go together, where the teens already knew one another. They had no need to meet new kids. So, we're really hoping to find some others with teens who don't already have a cruise buddy.

Anyone out there?

Laura

Hello there ! I have a 15 year old daughter that would love to have someone to hang with in the teen lounge. We did the 4 day cruise and she felt out of place in the teen lounge since she didn't know anyone. She ended up hanging with mom and dad most of the time. Maybe we can exchange thier emails so they can discuss things and get to know each other a bit before we go. Let me know.

 

[CJH1102]

Anyone doing a pre-stay?? I'm trying to find out where's the best place to book it!? We're so very excited!! We're going to take the boys to the Magic Kingdom and then to Hollywood Studios! Anyone know where to get cheaper tickets to the parks?? Geez, they're so expensive!!!

The best price I've been able to find for tickets is AAA. I've searched everywhere and AAA always has the better price. Of course you have to be a AAA member or know someone who is that can get the tickets for you. Good luck.

 

[owensamo]

The best price I've been able to find for tickets is AAA. I've searched everywhere and AAA always has the better price. Of course you have to be a AAA member or know someone who is that can get the tickets for you. Good luck.

I buy mine from Undercover Tourist. They tend to be better than gate price, and often have extra days available. Also, if you get the Mousesavers newsletter, they give an extra discount. They seem to have the best deal.

Bordersrewards also has disney tickets at a savings off of gate/advanced purchase price.

One thing to make sure is that you compare prices with tax included - not all places (like Disney's website) include tax until you have everything in your cart. Undercover tourist has tax and shipping included in the price listed.

Amanda

 

[CJH1102]

On formal night you will see a huge variety in how dress people are. My family, we like to do it up as best as we can, though we never go as far as ball gowns and tuxedos! Usually my hubby wears a suit and tie and I wear a cocktail dress and heels. We have seen people as casual as kahki pants and a button down shirt, though. Disney won't say anything to you if you want to go on the casual side. I would definitely avoid jeans, shorts, sneakers, etc.

Where you have sailed before, you are now Castaway Club Members, which means a few things. #1- You can go onlone and book your excursions, spa treatments and Palo ressies at the 90 day mark, intead of having to wait until 60 days. #2- There is a seperate line that you may use to check into at the port, though we have found that often times, the regular line takes less time, depending on how many fellow passengers are Club Members. #3- You get a special gift in your cabin. The one we received in September of '07 had mesh bags, a bath toy, pens and notepads, a postcard, a water bottle and a couple of other little things. And #4- You get an invitation in your cabin to the Castaway Club Reception, which is held onboard, but we, personally, have never made it to. Any other Club Members think of anything I am forgetting??????

Thanks for the info fltink. It helps a bunch. We did a 4 day cruise to Nassau and Castaway Cay on the Wonder in 2006. My DD that's now 9 fell in love with the kids club and has been asking to go back since. We couldn't even get her out to go to the Pirate party. She is beyond excited to be going back.

 

[hgon76]

correct me if I am wrong but, if you book Palo reservations in advance of your cruise (which I gather you HAVE to do to even GET a reservation), you don't know yet what your dining rotation is or what night pirate night is correct? I really want to book Palo. I was thinking of just booking a brunch and then I wouldn't have to worry about the pirate night or missing one of the restaurants that I really want to try. But, my husband wants to do dinner at Palo, not brunch. So, is there any way of knowing which day to book so that I won't miss the things I mentioned?

 

[fltink]

Well, I'll share my opinion and say....do brunch AND dinner! they are both fabulous! While it is true that you will not know your dining rotation until you check in, you CAN call DCL and request a particular rotation. It is not set in stone, but we have never not gotten the one we have asked for. Then, based on that, we look at the menus for the various nights and decided which one we'd most be willing to miss and then.....voilla! Our Palo night!

 

[owensamo]

You could just schedule Palo for later in the cruise. You will go through each rotational restaurant at least twice, but the "show" and rotational menu is only on the first night in the restaurant. If you schedule Palo for one of the last three nights, you shouldn't miss any of the rotational restaurant "shows", and you should still dine in each dining room at least once.

Amanda

 

[owensamo]

So we're about 130 days out (give or take a few) and I was reading a thread on fish extender ettiquette and saw that there have been some groups with 125+ rooms in the FE exchange!!! Since all the exchanges we've been part of have been around 12 rooms, I was rather shocked.

So I thought it might be about time to start asking... Is anyone interested in a FE exchange group for the cruise? I'd love to start getting a general number so I can start picking things up!!

Amanda

 

[fltink]

Personally, I don't have the time or money to do fish extender gifts, but by all means, someone should organize the exchange if people are interested.