1/17/09 Magic anyone???

[Bytor01]

The cruise director was supposed to be Christiaan, but his wife had a baby and he got off the ship on the 3rd. OUR director will be Brent.

The ship band is Soul Drive. They are a local Orlando band, who play at the Blue Martini and CityWalk and they are pretty awesome. The female vocalist has a great voice. Their website is souldrivelive.com

I have heard some very good things about Brent. Great job on the info and hopefully we will be able to hear the band. SO much to do so little time to do it.

Tim

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Just think that this time next week we will be on board!! I can't wait. It's been snowing here all day. Not much of any accumulation but I still can't wait.

I got the hair done today (can't have the grey showing in the pictures). And I got the legs waxed. I don't want to be talked about on another thread about being hairy.

So I just need to buy a few more things and tomorrow we will be straightening the house. The final packing should be done tomorrow as well (except for the toiletries) and then we take off on Thursday after work!!!!

And while I can sleep, I'm having a hard time concentrating at work.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Is it time to go yet? I think it should be!

My mind is already on the ship.

 

[Georji]

Just think that this time next week we will be on board!! I can't wait. It's been snowing here all day. Not much of any accumulation but I still can't wait.

I got the hair done today (can't have the grey showing in the pictures). And I got the legs waxed. I don't want to be talked about on another thread about being hairy.

So I just need to buy a few more things and tomorrow we will be straightening the house. The final packing should be done tomorrow as well (except for the toiletries) and then we take off on Thursday after work!!!!

And while I can sleep, I'm having a hard time concentrating at work.

LOL! While I'm not a waxer, I've been blessed to have leg hair that can't be seen ... that being said, thanks for reminding me to shave! LOL!

I'm glad you're sleeping! I'm having problems at work too, luckily we leave Tuesday so I only have one more day! YAY!! We've done all the laundry, and cleaned the house for the house sitter, all is packed (without toiletries and DH's pink blankey ... ok, fine, I admit ... it's my blankey), so what exactly is it that I'm supposed to be doing now? We'll do church and tanning tomorrow but what after that? OMG! It's really going to happen!!!

I'M READY!!!

 

[Laura22]

Well I just finished packing my clothes suitcase today (still have about 8 other suitcases to pack though). Anyway, I'm a little paranoid about something. What do people usually wear on cruise casual nights? I didn't really pay much attention on the last cruise. I'm worried about being overdressed. All my cruise casual outfits are things I would wear if I was going out for a nice dinner (dressy shirts, pants, and skirts with nice shoes and jewelry). But then I read the thread today about people wearing jeans to dinner and that being acceptable? I'll feel really stupid being dressed all nice if everyone else wears jeans and t-shirts to dinner.

I just have trouble picturing myself wearing jeans while I have these fancy servers serving me a fancy dinner in a fancy dining room. I feel like I just need to dress up a bit for a nice meal.

I am planning to wear jeans and a pirate t-shirt though on pirate night. I seem to remember they hand out bandanas so I think a skirt would clash a little lol.

 

[Bytor01]

Personally, no jeans will be packed in our suitcases. Cruise casual for me means: nice pair of khakis and a collared shirt for the guys and maybe a nice light dress or nice blouse and pants for the ladies. Unfortunately, you will see people in jeans or shorts. Although, I really did not see that much of this on the last cruise (maybe I just didn't notice it). Our children will also be dressed like their parents, nicely. You will not be dining at McDonald's but in a nice restaurant, hence at least the attempt should be made to look presentable. Now mind you, I do have some jeans that are very expensive but for me jeans do not belong in this atmosphere. Personal preference but that is what I feel.

6 days to go...weather update. Orlando high for next Saturday is around 60. Might be a little chilly for a dip in the pool. St Maarten looks to be in the low 80's and St Thomas is ranging between 81-84 degrees. Castaway Cay has no listing but Abaco island which is close is showing around 82-84 degrees over the next 5 days. We should get some nice warm weather at least for us northerners.

As for NYC area we are going to be flyng out Friday in about 15 degree weather with no snow (at least for now) forecasted. So the warmth will definately feel good to me.

Tim

 

[4Goofys4Dis]

Well I just finished packing my clothes suitcase today (still have about 8 other suitcases to pack though). Anyway, I'm a little paranoid about something. What do people usually wear on cruise casual nights? I didn't really pay much attention on the last cruise. I'm worried about being overdressed. All my cruise casual outfits are things I would wear if I was going out for a nice dinner (dressy shirts, pants, and skirts with nice shoes and jewelry). But then I read the thread today about people wearing jeans to dinner and that being acceptable? I'll feel really stupid being dressed all nice if everyone else wears jeans and t-shirts to dinner.

I just have trouble picturing myself wearing jeans while I have these fancy servers serving me a fancy dinner in a fancy dining room. I feel like I just need to dress up a bit for a nice meal.

I am planning to wear jeans and a pirate t-shirt though on pirate night. I seem to remember they hand out bandanas so I think a skirt would clash a little lol.

Funny, this is my 3rd DCL cruise and I was having problems with the same dress caual nights!! I am bringing a couple of capris pants (with nice knit or button-down tops), jeans (trouser jeans) with a silky top and then a sundress for one night.

And my suitcase is getting WAY TOO FULL - I might just have to take some of the room that was originally designated for DH Poor DH!!

I too am having trouble sleeping and DH can't get me off this website!! 2 more indoor soccer games (today), a bday party for DD (turning 6 Monday), and then NOTHING to worry about but packing (we leave Thursday right after school/work too!!)!

See you all there!!!!!

 

[owensjro]

We too avoid shorts or jeans in the dining rooms. My first cruise ( a 4N Wonder) I wore shorts in the dining room and was felt very out of place. Now I wear khakis and polo shirts on cruise casual. My 6 year old daughter will wear skirts and casual dresses. My wife will wear...well I'm not sure. But I'm sure she packed more than enough I'm still trying to fit her clothes in!

We're hoping to keep it to two medium suitcases and a garment bag but it's starting to get tight. Hoping to finish up the packing today except for the one dress that is in getting shortened.

We've changed our approach a bit for departure day as now the weather in Orlando is low 60's as it is at the port (with a chance of rain). So we'll probably wear jeans onto the ship.

Jim

 

[hgon76]

a bday party for DD (turning 6 Monday)

our dd is 6 also, and our friends who are coming have a 7 year old son, so it looks like a lot of our kids will be getting to know each other at the kids clubs! We'll probably even run into one another picking up/dropping off . I can't believe it's only a few more days. It's going to be -9 degrees here next Saturday! Glad I won't be here .

 

[Georji]

Well I hate to be the party pooper, but I will probably be spotted in the dining room a few nights with jeans. Partly because that's just my style and also because the one pair of khakis I have I just tried them on yesterday and they're a no go. DH and I are going to go out to lunch and do a bit of shopping to celebrated our anniversary so I'm going to try to pick some up. We're just a very casual (but not like holey, classy, new, clean but casual), family and so we don't have a ton of dress up stuff. I do have some capri pants I'll be wearing, but I'm sure there will be a few nights that I'll be wearing my trusty old navy jeans. They're like a good friend! LOL!

I hope you don't ban me from the board now

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a link to a web cam in Key West...where the Magic is today....

http://webcam.keywest.com/westin/

Next week, here we come Magic!!!

MJ

 

[Georji]

Why is it in Key West?

 

[Laura22]

Well I hate to be the party pooper, but I will probably be spotted in the dining room a few nights with jeans. Partly because that's just my style and also because the one pair of khakis I have I just tried them on yesterday and they're a no go. DH and I are going to go out to lunch and do a bit of shopping to celebrated our anniversary so I'm going to try to pick some up. We're just a very casual (but not like holey, classy, new, clean but casual), family and so we don't have a ton of dress up stuff. I do have some capri pants I'll be wearing, but I'm sure there will be a few nights that I'll be wearing my trusty old navy jeans. They're like a good friend! LOL!

I hope you don't ban me from the board now

I don't care what anyone else wears. That's none of my business and I don't really pay attention to it. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one NOT wearing jeans in the dining room. LOL

I have a couple last minute questions that I'm too lazy to search the forums for the answer...

1. When you first drive up to the port and the guy takes your luggage from your car to bring to the ship - are you supposed to tip that guy? If so, is it $2 per bag?

2. If you order a drink by the pool, at dinner, or on the beach at CC and the 15% gratuity is automatically included in the cost of the drink, are you expected to add an extra tip to the receipt?

 

[Georji]

Great question! Is the grauity included in drink orders?

 

[Georji]

Ok and in my post about dressing for dinner I meant to say we weren't people who wear holey clothes but clean, new, nice clothes. Oops! Anyway, I promise not to embarrass anyone .

 

[fltink]

Yes, you do need to tip the baggage porter. A good general guideline is $1-2 per bag, or a flat rate, if you'd prefer, for a large cart.

Yes, there usually is an autograt on the bar tabs, but we usually add a buck or two. The reality is that the better you tip, (especially on Days 1 &2), the better service you get.

 

[Laura22]

Yes, there usually is an autograt on the bar tabs, but we usually add a buck or two. The reality is that the better you tip, (especially on Days 1 &2), the better service you get.

Even if you just get 1 single drink you would add a buck or 2? Or are you talking about a large order?

Just seems like a lot to buy a $3 drink and then tip 15% plus another $2. That's like a 75% tip just for a guy to carry a drink 20 feet. I just plan to buy 1 drink per day as we're bringing our own alcohol.

 

[owensjro]

Even if you just get 1 single drink you would add a buck or 2? Or are you talking about a large order?

Just seems like a lot to buy a $3 drink and then tip 15% plus another $2. That's like a 75% tip just for a guy to carry a drink 20 feet. I just plan to buy 1 drink per day as we're bringing our own alcohol.

I am actually more likely to tip when getting a drink at the bar. Our experience so far has been that the bartenders make much stronger drinks than those you get from the people walking around (whether premade or not). On our first cruise Amanda wanted a strawberry-tini but they had run out of the mix. The bartenders started discussing it and came up with a rather unique take on it which also happened to be an extremely strong drink! Yes, they got an extra tip.

Jim

 

[owensamo]

I am actually more likely to tip when getting a drink at the bar. Our experience so far has been that the bartenders make much stronger drinks than those you get from the people walking around (whether premade or not). On our first cruise Amanda wanted a strawberry-tini but they had run out of the mix. The bartenders started discussing it and came up with a rather unique take on it which also happened to be an extremely strong drink! Yes, they got an extra tip.

Jim

Yeah - it was actually supposed to be raspberry, but they ran out of the non-alcoholic mix they'd mix with the alcohol so they ended up mixing up a bunch of liquors to make a completely alcohol raspberry-ish martini. It was good, but far too much for me! I ended up with Jim's Amaretto Sour and he drank the Kamakazi-tini. I'm not sure how he managed to get back to the cabin after finishing it, though.

Amanda

 

[4Goofys4Dis]

Well I hate to be the party pooper, but I will probably be spotted in the dining room a few nights with jeans. Partly because that's just my style and also because the one pair of khakis I have I just tried them on yesterday and they're a no go. DH and I are going to go out to lunch and do a bit of shopping to celebrated our anniversary so I'm going to try to pick some up. We're just a very casual (but not like holey, classy, new, clean but casual), family and so we don't have a ton of dress up stuff. I do have some capri pants I'll be wearing, but I'm sure there will be a few nights that I'll be wearing my trusty old navy jeans. They're like a good friend! LOL!

I hope you don't ban me from the board now

No worries...I have gained a little weight and although I have 6 nights that won't include jeans, I will need to use them once. They are nice dark trouser jeans and I plan to wear them with heeled sandals to dress them up a bit.

But you definately won't be the only one! They may be the only pants I fit into by the end of the cruise! ...but no one wants to talk about the END of the cruise!