1/3/09 Magic - First Time To St. Croix

[MrsMork]

hi my name is jonathan
im 15 years old I was just wondering if theres going to be any kids my age going on the cruise.
this is my first time cruising with my dad and his friend ron. they suprised me with this tonight after coming home from there western cruise with my sister last night.

Welcome, Jonathan! Such a pleasure to have a teenager join us here. Hopefully the others will feel comfortable posting also. Or, once they know they are coming you could start a teen thread for this cruise also.

 

[brack]

Hi y'all, I'm krhardy's friend that's going too. My dh and dd (15) will be on the cruise. It seems our group's (krhardy & mine) number has swelled! I think last count we were up to 17? Lots of teens coming - don't worry we actually make our kids behave and if they don't we want to know so we can correct it!

Oh, and just a fair warning....y'all will know of us before the cruise is over...we always make an lasting impression!

Welcome Aboard!

Anyone who quotes Jimmy Buffett must be pretty cool!

 

[brack]

I just booked this cruise. DD will be 12 at the time, and I am a single mom!
Our FIRST Disney Cruise ever!!! Woohoo!

Welcome Aboard!

 

[brack]

OMG!! I love this idea!
The fish extender gifty swap! http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607&page=15

I am SO making one of these just because they are just cool! I loved seeing all the goodies the Disers swapped all week on that one cruise on the page above. I think it would be fun to do that on ours! Especially with folks coming from all over, have something to trade that shows their home town/state. Besides our cruise is special...the first one to St. Croix!

Ok, I'm better now. I just think this is a great idea. We did giant stockings on our doors last cruise.

It is a good idea and I think that it has been discussed on this thread earlier. We bought something to hang from our "Fish" the other day and I'll post a photo of it soon.

The last two cruises we have used stockings ('cause it was Christmas time ) It was fun playing "Santa".

 

[plutojudy]

Our friends are wavering. They said they would not cruise again in the winter. But now after a weekend of below 0 temps here and looking at their pictures, they are realizing they had fun. It would be fun if they join us again. We will see. I told her to check before month end to get the Dreams onboard credit.

 

[khakismum]

Welcome Aboard!

Anyone who quotes Jimmy Buffett must be pretty cool!

Thanks! And yeah, anyone who quotes JB can't be all bad!

 

[Habsfan11]

hey Jonathan, I'm Diane. My daughter will be 15 when we sail. She isn't on the boards yet because she doesn't know about the cruise yet ...shhhhhhh! it's a secret!

I know in our group sailing there will be my dd Kathryn- 15, her bff Victoria - 14, and another bff Kristen - 16, her brother Michael- 15 and some younger kids. There will be plenty of teens to hang with! You will get to know them later this year once we spring the surprise on them.

Tells us about yourself and we can start to fill you in on the kids.

hey Diane
my favorite activites ae sports such as, hockey baseball , basketball, football pretty much if it has to do with sports i love it aha
i also like watching movies i love comedys the most and movies that involve sports

 

[Habsfan11]

Welcome, Jonathan! Such a pleasure to have a teenager join us here. Hopefully the others will feel comfortable posting also. Or, once they know they are coming you could start a teen thread for this cruise also.

hi , angie
i look foward to more teenagers joining this board.
-jonathan

 

[MrsMork]

hi , angie
i look foward to more teenagers joining this board.
-jonathan

Me too! We are old folks, but love teenagers. Last March we chaparoned a Disneyland trip for our grandson and his high school band. Most fun DL trip we have had and we have done lots! Our grandson MAY join us for this cruise. He will graduate from HS this year and be in college next. If his winter break works time wise we are thinking of making adding him on as his HS graduation. He will be a bit older, 19, by that time. He would probably still enjoy talking with younger teens some too though. He enjoys comedy movies as well.

 

[brack]

Watching Ninja Warrior tonight

 

[khakismum]

my favorite activites ae sports such as, hockey baseball , basketball, football pretty much if it has to do with sports i love it aha
i also like watching movies i love comedys the most and movies that involve sports

Jonathan,
Awesome! The 15 y/o boy Michael is a big sports guy - very active. He wrestles and played/plays football. He likes video games too! The girls aren't so big into the sports thing. Although one, Victoria, is a second dan black belt, her mom is a second dan black belt, her brother is a first dan black belt and her TKD teacher/coach will be along and he will be 4th (?) or 5th (?) dan (Kelley help me out!) black belt by the cruise. Super nice guy so don't worry!

The girls enjoy fantasy movies, Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3, Lord of the Rings 1-3, Eragon, Harry Potter, Chronicles of Narnia, etc. The also like Monty Python's Holy Grail, the Princess Bride and other corny yet very funny movies. They aren't into girlie movies too much. We are pretty strict on what they can and can't watch so alot of the current PG-13 movies they haven't seen due to some of the raunchy content. So they still enjoy things like Alvin and the Chimpmunks, Enchanted, Bee Movie, etc.

I promise, in time, you will get to meet the kids online "in person". We are still trying to figure out how to surprise ALL of them at the same time with the cruise. It will be a while until we tell them - sorry

Keep 'talking' so we can still learn about you and fill the kids in about some of the cool kids we have already "met" that are cruising with us.

 

[plutojudy]

Does anyone have any St Croix info to share? I've been reading about beaches, points of interest, etc. I wonder when DCL will announce shore excursions. Maybe this summer? Has to be before October when we can start booking.

 

[krhardy]

OK...Bobby (Victoria and my teacher who is coming) earned his 5th Dan last November...go Bobby! Victoria and I are 2nd Dan...but we all (Bobby, Victoria-14, Aaron-11, and I) train with canes as weapons also...it is really fun. By the cruise, Bobby will have earned his 1st dan with the cane, and will be working on his 2nd dan with knives. Hopefully I will have followed, and Victoria and Aaron will be close to their weapons black belts. Thus, my tag line to the left!

Yes, my children have a warped sense of humor. They love sci-fi (their father's influence, definitely not mine) and Monty Python, although as Khakismum says we are sort of strict with what they watch, so they have only seen selected Python bits.

My DS-Aaron who will be days away from turning 12 on the cruise-loves anything requiring physical activity. While he doesn't play football, he delights in annoying me by watching it, reincacting it, talking about it, etc. He does play soccer and loves it. He loves to play "yard hockey" as we call it here, ride his bike, etc. All the typical *boy* things.

DD-Victoria 14 at time of cruising-is not too into really *girly* things...she's happy to be out in the tree with her brother, or locked in a room with her BFFs giggling and snorting. She looooves animals...especially horses.

Diane (Khakismum) and I are trying to wait until Christmas to surprise them...don't know if we'll hold out that long or not. We've surprised them so many times before with trips, that it's getting harder and harder to both keep the secret, and find ways to surprise the kiddos.

The 3 other families that we are traveling with haven't checked in, as of yet. They are: 1 couple traveling for their anniversary without their kids (don't we all envy that-actually we've done it twice )
Another couple traveling, as Diane said, with their DD-16 and DS-15. Last, is my boss and good friend who will be traveling with his DS-4 who is, let's just say, a LARGE bundle of energy (but a sweetie!) and his DW who might be a bit angst filled by leaving their DD at home who will only be 18 mos. old.

If I can ever figure out how to post a picture, I'll post one of our *former* cruise pictures so you'll know how to find us!!!

 

[krhardy]

 

[MrsMork]

Kelley, I copied, pasted and went there to see your photo. You all do look like a fun bunch!! Can't wait to set sail!

 

[MrsMork]

Does anyone have any St Croix info to share? I've been reading about beaches, points of interest, etc. I wonder when DCL will announce shore excursions. Maybe this summer? Has to be before October when we can start booking.

They always have some 3-4 hr island tour costing in the mid $30 range. Since this is our first time to this island we will probably do that. There, already got my excursion set so I'm ready to go!!

 

[khakismum]

Well, here are some ideas to get us thinking about what we might be able to do down there.

What looks good to me is the Cruzan Rum factory tour - complete with free samples! Now *that's* what I'm talking about!
Snorkeling off the reef looks exquisite - *sigh*
The horseback ride into the rain forest sounds good just a bit pricey according to the one article.

http://cruises.about.com/cs/caribbeanports/a/stcroix.htm
http://cruises.about.com/od/caribbeancruises/ss/seadream_carib_2.htmhttp://cruises.about.com/od/caribbeancruises/ss/seadream_carib_2.htm
http://www.travelvi.com/stcroixUSVI/index.shtml
http://www.stcroixhotelandtourism.com/todo.htm
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/newport.cfm?ID=10
http://www.stcroixtourism.com/places.htm
http://www.visitstcroix.com/to_do.html
http://www.mytravelguide.com


The following is a menu of excursions offered on St. Croix by shoretrips.com...you just have to create a user account...so to save y'all the hassle of doing that....here is the St. Croix info.

************************
ST. CROIX HERITAGE TOUR
Narrated by a knowledgeable tour guide, learn island politics, botany, traditions and more.
Departures (Local Time): 09:30 AM (6 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $56.00 USD


Explore by Kayak

ECO KAYAK TOUR OF THE SALT RIVER NATIONAL PARK
Pleasure paddle through pristine places.
Departures (Local Time): 08:30 AM (4 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $53.00 USD


SCUBA Tours

SCUBA... THE RESORT COURSE FOR WOMEN
A perfect introduction to diving especially for women and children, by women,
Departures (Local Time): 09:00 AM (6 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $91.00 USD

SCUBA...BUBBLEMAKERS COURSE FOR KIDS
For those not quite old enough for the Resort Course.
Departures (Local Time): 10:00 AM (1 hrs)
Pricing: Child: $44.00 USD (8 and up)

SCUBA...LEARN TO SCUBA DIVE IN 4 HOURS
Half the beauty is underwater!
Departures (Local Time): 08:30 AM (4 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $90.00 USD (For ages 10 and up)

SCUBA...ONE TANK DIVE FROM FREDERIKSTED
Half the beauty is underwater!
Departures (Local Time): 10:00 AM (2 hrs) 11:30 AM (2 hrs) 01:30 PM (2 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $72.00 USD

SCUBA...ONE TANK DIVE WITH UNDERWATER SCOOTER
The short course in the use of the DPV - Scooter. 1 hour instruction and 1 tank dive.
Departures (Local Time): 09:00 AM (6 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $127.00 USD

SCUBA...TWO TANK DIVE FROM FREDERIKSTED
What's better than a one tank dive? A two tank dive !
Departures (Local Time): 10:00 AM (4 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $90.00 USD


Distinctive Weddings

GET MARRIED IN ST. CROIX
Say 'Aye, Aye' and 'I do'.
Departures (Local Time): 01:00 PM (2 hrs)
Pricing: Charter: $403.00 USD (Basic Swept Away Wedding Package)


Golf Trips

GOLF 18 HOLES ON ST. CROIX
A taste of golf in the Caribbean at the Carambola Golf Club.
Departures (Local Time): 10:00 AM (5 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $155.00 USD


Sail n' Snorkel Trips

BUCK ISLAND SAIL AND SNORKEL ADVENTURE
Why go to Buck Island with a crowd?
Departures (Local Time): 10:00 AM (4 hrs)
Pricing: Boat Charter: $407.00 USD (Price for up to 6 people.)

SNORKEL...FULL DAY CATAMARAN SAIL TO BUCK ISLAND
Buck Island, barbeque lunch, all on a glass bottom boat!
Departures (Local Time): 08:00 AM (7.5 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $90.00 USD Child: $64.00 USD (Children ages 12 and under)

SNORKEL...HALF DAY CATAMARAN SAIL TO BUCK ISLAND
A great trip sailing and exploring Buck Island, a U.S. National Monument.
Departures (Local Time): 11:30 AM (4.5 hrs)
Pricing: Per Person: $74.00 USD Per Person: $59.00 USD (Children ages 6-12) Per Person: $29.00 USD (Children 5 and under)
******************************************

this at least gives us a ball park idea for possible excursions and $$$

 

[plutojudy]

They always have some 3-4 hr island tour costing in the mid $30 range. Since this is our first time to this island we will probably do that. There, already got my excursion set so I'm ready to go!!

That is what we will do too. I would like a morning island tour. Then after lunch we could go ashore and walk around.

 

[SunshineGirl327]

Jonathon;

I am Michael's mother. As Diane has said, he is VERY active in sports.... He is very active period. Pretty much if it has a ball and/or it has movement he'll try it. He loves movement. He has tired most of us out long before he tired out. Football and Wrestling are his primary sports. He is very friendly and openly includes just about anybody in with him on his escapades. I am certain that you'll be in great company. Right at this moment, Michael is absorbed with the latest Zelda game on his DS and with the on-line game Runescape (he partners with his sister on that one).
My daughter is a little more reserved. She is actually the oldest of the 'under 18s' in this group. However, in this particular group she can be as loud and silly as the youngest one present. She is into her music, books, and her studies.
As is true for the rest of the children in this group, mine are somewhat restricted in what they can and cannot watch/see/do. They both know that their grades come first. And yes, mine will have school work to accomplish while we are on cruise that will be electronically sent back to teachers. (Yes, I AM an evil mother.)
I want you to know that this group is fun loving and will welcome you easily. You'll have a blast with them. There will be plenty to do.

Oh as Diane told you earlier, it is a secret. None of the children know about the trip.

Look forward to meeting you.

Anne

 

[khakismum]

Yeah!!! Mrs. Anne is here now!!!!

Now that you have filled Jonathan in on the kiddos...fill everybody else in on you!