1/17/09 Magic anyone???

[pooh & tinker]

WE are booked for this cruise also... 2 cabins 5 adults. my son and his wife have never been on a Disney Cruise...we are giving them a christmas present.
we have been on several disney cruises and can never get enough.. this will be our 4th eastern cruise. can't wait.
hope to see everyone on board...
pooh and tinker

 

[2beaprincess]

WE are booked for this cruise also... 2 cabins 5 adults. my son and his wife have never been on a Disney Cruise...we are giving them a christmas present.
we have been on several disney cruises and can never get enough.. this will be our 4th eastern cruise. can't wait.
hope to see everyone on board...
pooh and tinker

Hello there Pooh and Tinker!
Welcome aboard!!

 

[CJH1102]

WE are booked for this cruise also... 2 cabins 5 adults. my son and his wife have never been on a Disney Cruise...we are giving them a christmas present.
we have been on several disney cruises and can never get enough.. this will be our 4th eastern cruise. can't wait.
hope to see everyone on board...
pooh and tinker

Hello !! Welcome to the group. There's alot to read in this discussion thread. Once you get through it all, you'll see that we've got a lot of great people to cruise with and some with a lot of knowledge to share about Disney cruising

 

[Georji]

I hope everyone has had a fantastic Turkey day! We had a great one and just like it was planned out it started snowing yesterday afternoon! It was magical!

All that being said, before we know it Christmas will be here and then, stop the press, WE'LL BE ON OUR WAY!!!

Am I the only one here excited? I think not! WOO HOO!!!

 

[Georji]

Georji: you're dogs are adorable too! LOVE the one in the mudd

THANK YOU! We sure do like them! Full of personality!

 

[CJH1102]

I have a question to those of you who have been on the Eastern cruise before. If I don't book any shore excursions and I just want to shop and sight see, is there enough within walking distance once to get off the ship or will we need to take a taxi to get to the better shopping and sight seeing places? I want to be able to get the most out of the time we're there. Any suggestions?

 

[owensjro]

I have a question to those of you who have been on the Eastern cruise before. If I don't book any shore excursions and I just want to shop and sight see, is there enough within walking distance once to get off the ship or will we need to take a taxi to get to the better shopping and sight seeing places? I want to be able to get the most out of the time we're there. Any suggestions?

At St. Thomas if we dock at the main dock there is some shopping right there and then it is about a 15 minute walk to downtown Charlotte Amalie. We did this last year with an almost 6 year old and it was long but not too bad.

At St. Maarten I understand there are water taxis to get to Phillipsburg or you can walk. I have not done either as we just went to the beach last year.

Jim

 

[Georji]

We're hoping to not do a bunch of shore excursions ... would these be good things to do with a 6&7 year old just to get out and see things?

 

[owensamo]

Our DD was 5 last year and had fun with what we did. We took a cab from the dock to a beach at St. Martin and she was fine with that. She loves sand and beaches, and it was nice for me to be able to sit and read for a day! On the way back to the ship, we visited a few of the souvenir shops right at the port.

On St. Thomas, it was quite the adventure. We had tickets from the ship for the Butterfly Farm, but the ship was tendered in the bay so we ended up tendering into the downtown area - the Butterfly Farm is in Havensight, which is right next to the Docks! So if we were docked, it would be easy off and easy on, but we ended up walking from downtown instead.

The shops and the butterfly farm right at the docks are worth getting off and visiting. The gondola to the top of the "mountain" is also right there, so there's a lot to do within walking distance of the ship. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is where most of the best shopping is, and it's about a 10-15 minute walk - doable, but more so if you don't have to carry tired 5yos!

Amanda

 

[Georji]

Our DD was 5 last year and had fun with what we did. We took a cab from the dock to a beach at St. Martin and she was fine with that. She loves sand and beaches, and it was nice for me to be able to sit and read for a day! On the way back to the ship, we visited a few of the souvenir shops right at the port.

On St. Thomas, it was quite the adventure. We had tickets from the ship for the Butterfly Farm, but the ship was tendered in the bay so we ended up tendering into the downtown area - the Butterfly Farm is in Havensight, which is right next to the Docks! So if we were docked, it would be easy off and easy on, but we ended up walking from downtown instead.

The shops and the butterfly farm right at the docks are worth getting off and visiting. The gondola to the top of the "mountain" is also right there, so there's a lot to do within walking distance of the ship. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is where most of the best shopping is, and it's about a 10-15 minute walk - doable, but more so if you don't have to carry tired 5yos!

Amanda

I think my boys would like the gondola ride ... how much of the day would that take? TIA!

 

[owensamo]

I think my boys would like the gondola ride ... how much of the day would that take? TIA!

Not sure - we didn't do it last year. I think it's a short ride to the top, then however long you spend up there - I believe there is shopping and restaurants and you can see a good portion of the island so lots of photo ops.

The butterfly farm took us about 1-1.5 hours, and it includes a little tour plus as long as you want in with the butterflies.

We got off the ship as early as we could (I think we got a 9am tender) and were back on by lunch (1-2pm). And that's with tendering (both ways) and walking from Charlotte Amalie to Havensight, shopping (both areas), butterflies and walking back.

Amusingly enough, other than souvenirs at the butterfly farm, all we bought were smoothies at a Ben & Jerry's - and it took the one person working there close to a half hour to make 3 smoothies! At least 3 other groups from other ships walked in and out in that time because it was taking so long. We just sat and relaxed and figured we were on Island Time. Of course, we could get B&J smoothies at home, but we never do! It was a somewhat familiar treat. We mostly did it because it was one of the few places open at the time to get a snack, and we didn't want a full meal - just a drink from all that walking!

Amanda

 

[Laura22]

I will confess I haven't gone through all 391 posts yet, but I figured I'd jump in and introduce myself. I'm Laura and we just found out about the military discount for this cruise so we went ahead and booked it. The discount saved us over $2,660 (almost 50%)!

I posted here in the cruise forum a bit last year before we took a 3 night Disney Cruise and could have never planned everything nearly as well without this board! This will be our 3rd cruise with Disney, but our previous cruises were both 3 nights long. We cannot WAIT to take the full 7 nights!

I've been to St. Maarten and St. Thomas before over 10 years ago, but I don't remember much about what's there. We have 2 active kids (ages 5 and 7) who love the beach and love to swim and my husband and I love to snorkel so if anyone has advice for the best shore excursions at those 2 ports I could sure use it. All I have to go on is the description on the DCL website, which doesn't help me narrow them down much!

Also, I'm excited to find out what more things the 7 night cruises have to offer that are not on the 3 night cruises. So far I've found out about the character breakfast and a tea party with Wendy? What else can we look forward to?

Well it looks like I've got about 400 posts to read in this thread so I better hop to it. LOL

 

[4Goofys4Dis]

I will confess I haven't gone through all 391 posts yet, but I figured I'd jump in and introduce myself. I'm Laura and we just found out about the military discount for this cruise so we went ahead and booked it. The discount saved us over $2,660 (almost 50%)!

I posted here in the cruise forum a bit last year before we took a 3 night Disney Cruise and could have never planned everything nearly as well without this board! This will be our 3rd cruise with Disney, but our previous cruises were both 3 nights long. We cannot WAIT to take the full 7 nights!

I've been to St. Maarten and St. Thomas before over 10 years ago, but I don't remember much about what's there. We have 2 active kids (ages 5 and 7) who love the beach and love to swim and my husband and I love to snorkel so if anyone has advice for the best shore excursions at those 2 ports I could sure use it. All I have to go on is the description on the DCL website, which doesn't help me narrow them down much!

Also, I'm excited to find out what more things the 7 night cruises have to offer that are not on the 3 night cruises. So far I've found out about the character breakfast and a tea party with Wendy? What else can we look forward to?

Well it looks like I've got about 400 posts to read in this thread so I better hop to it. LOL

Welcome Laura!!! This is my 3rd Disney cruise too, my kiddies are also 5 & 7 - its such a fun age with the kids...of course, I think any age is a good age for Disney!!

Planning is so much fun and the Disboards make it so easy!!! Of course, we think January is the best time of year to cruise.

I am impressed that you read thru all the posts and got to know everyone - I have a hard time keeping up and I am guessing that this thread will only start moving faster!! Only 43 days left!!!

 

[Laura22]

There I read through the thread so I'm all caught up with what you've all been doing for the last year now. Glad I won't have to wait a year for this cruise!

Hello all. I haven't been really following the thread in awhile so I just tried to catch up. Can't believe it is still so far away! I need to cruise now!

It looks like we will be driving in (from Cary, NC) leaving Thursday night and getting in Friday. Then we'll drive back the Sunday after. We're DVC members so are thinking we will stay on points at Disney.

Anyone with a 6 year old girl who would like to exchange some letters with our daughter? She's very shy and it definitely helps knowing someone going in.

Hope everyone had a great summer,
Jim

Hi owensjro,

We are in Hillsborough, NC. We did this cruise last year and loved it. Can't wait until January. We aren't sure if we are flying or driving. We drove 2 weeks ago to Disney and it wasn't too bad.

My DD will be 6 in a couple of weeks. This will be her 3rd cruise. I'm sure she would love to hear from your daughter.

Just pm me if you are interested.

Wow lots of NC people going with their 5-7 year olds this week! Do you all have 3 days off that week too? That's why I picked it!

It sounds like seeing as we're just booking today that we're gonna have slim chances of getting Palo reservations and things like that. Hopefully we can get some when we first get on the ship.

 

[fltink]

If you're looking for fun things that you get to do on a seven day that are not offered on a 3 or 4 day, don't forget about brunch and tea at Palo, the character breakfast, tea with Wendy, Goofy's pajama party, not to mention, many different restaurant menus that you have not tried, more themed nightclub parties, more movies and more entertainment!!! Seven nighters rock!

 

[Laura22]

I was finally able to log in this evening and see if we could get anything with our last minute reservation. We really wanted to do a Palo Brunch and the Extreme Getaway Package at Castaway Cay but both are filled up online. If we get on the ship as soon as they let us, is there a place we can try and go and get reservations for those? Or do we have no chance?

We were able to book the Doubleloon Snorkel at St. Thomas though.

 

[Georji]

I will confess I haven't gone through all 391 posts yet, but I figured I'd jump in and introduce myself. I'm Laura and we just found out about the military discount for this cruise so we went ahead and booked it. The discount saved us over $2,660 (almost 50%)!

I posted here in the cruise forum a bit last year before we took a 3 night Disney Cruise and could have never planned everything nearly as well without this board! This will be our 3rd cruise with Disney, but our previous cruises were both 3 nights long. We cannot WAIT to take the full 7 nights!

I've been to St. Maarten and St. Thomas before over 10 years ago, but I don't remember much about what's there. We have 2 active kids (ages 5 and 7) who love the beach and love to swim and my husband and I love to snorkel so if anyone has advice for the best shore excursions at those 2 ports I could sure use it. All I have to go on is the description on the DCL website, which doesn't help me narrow them down much!

Also, I'm excited to find out what more things the 7 night cruises have to offer that are not on the 3 night cruises. So far I've found out about the character breakfast and a tea party with Wendy? What else can we look forward to?

Well it looks like I've got about 400 posts to read in this thread so I better hop to it. LOL

WELCOME! I have boys who are 6&7 ... we too are THRILLED! we're doing a pre-stay at WDW so we only have 37 days until we leave ... after planning for over a year we can't believe it's actually going to happen!!!

Anyhow, I've never cruised with Disney only Royal Caribbean and Princess, so this will be our first Disney cruise and the first cruise ever for my boys! They'll be spoiled I'm sure. Par for course!

Anyway ... I'm super excited to get going!

 

[Georji]

Character breakfast? Do we have to sign up for that? Does it cost extra? Need more info for the newbie! Thanks guys!

 

[Georji]

Oh, and I'm so exited because our flights got changed and we ended up needing to leave a day early and pay for another night at the hotel. We were kind of bummed but we didn't have to take a red-eye then straight to the WDW park. But we got an e-mail from our TA today and there's a new promotion and we got nearly a $200 credit! YAY! I just still can't believe we leave in 37 days!

ANYONE ELSE EXCITED???

 

[Bytor01]

Character breakfast? Do we have to sign up for that? Does it cost extra? Need more info for the newbie! Thanks guys!

No you will be getting your character breakfast assigned day when you get to your room. It does not cost extra. Our breakfast was on Thursday the last time we were on the Western.

Also, some important information...if you booked your cruise after a certain time period you may be eligible for a credit. Disney has stopped the fuel surcharge so if it was active and you paid it when you booked your cruise you will be credited that amount as an onboard ship credit.

Everyone should check and see if they paid this surcharge. I can't remember when they started it but it was earlier this year. Maybe this is the credit your TA caught but don't wait make sure you get credited the amount.

Tim