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

[clower5luvzdiz]

That sounds good, we have been on 4 cruises and three were Disney. We actually were finally able to talk other family members into it this time otherwise we would have just waited to sail in 09 or 2010.

Tiny Tink.... when you went on the virgin tour to Antigua how did it go? Can we expect this inaugural and the excursions to be up to Disney standards on the first time out based on your previous experience?

I just sooo can't wait for this... just over 5 months left... I am sooo excited and time has flown for me.... not sure about the rest of you all.

Any advice you can give us Tony Tink on first time ports would be greatly appreciated by the whole group I would bet... I planned this on purpose and can't wait to hit the road for the port... get MY pic with Captain Mickey in the port with my kids... I can almost close my eyes and smell the beachy smell of the cape... the salt water and low humidity... walking onto the ship and hearing our family name called..

I am ready! How bout you guys!

 

[clower5luvzdiz]

Brack and who ever else knows about this... wasn't it said that ending in an evend number used to be considered lucky? We are getting closer all the time... I can't wait to get moved into a house and start a countdown and cruise treasure chest someone mentioned on this board.. just have a box that is your treasure chest and throw in the sample size things for packing and as time gets closer it is easy to organize... kids costumes after halloween if you plan ahead and get them costumes that would work for pirate night too!

The ship takes on such a different feel that night... so cool to watch the fireworks... and can't wait to see them again... hopefully before we get to St.Croix... anyone know the basic plan for Pirate night on this cruise?

 

[tinytink]

Brack and who ever else knows about this... wasn't it said that ending in an evend number used to be considered lucky? We are getting closer all the time... I can't wait to get moved into a house and start a countdown and cruise treasure chest someone mentioned on this board.. just have a box that is your treasure chest and throw in the sample size things for packing and as time gets closer it is easy to organize... kids costumes after halloween if you plan ahead and get them costumes that would work for pirate night too!

The ship takes on such a different feel that night... so cool to watch the fireworks... and can't wait to see them again... hopefully before we get to St.Croix... anyone know the basic plan for Pirate night on this cruise?

Hi Clower Family... yes we were on the first Antigua sailing and it was awesome as it was also our first cruise but let me tell you the seas were horrific, we were hit with Hurrican Jeanne. We got booted off the ship early, herded onto buses to Swan/Dolphin (just our luck we get on a defective bus that lost power soon after we leave PC, people on the bus start getting cranky because it seems if we turn off the air conditioner on the bus it would run so we ride the remainder of the way with no air conditioner), we arrive at Swan at 2 am and they won't let us off the bus because the buses in front of us are still unloading but since I have my 18month old DD with us and she has to potty the driver lets me off and I am able to let her potty and sneak in to check us in as well, I call my DH to let him know our room number and he and my two DSs lug 5 suitcases, a stroller, and a Britax car seat into the lobby where we meet and go up to our room, I have the kids brush their teeth and hop into bed (2:30am), then I get on the phone to cancel our flights back home from MCO and try to change it to Tampa since they have closed MCO, then cancel the post night hotel accomodations, and reserve a SUV for our ride to Tampa. I finally get to bed at 4:30am and did I mention that I was 4 months pregnant at the time? Well DH goes to the lobby to get our rental car but guess what everybody is down there trying to get a rental car so when our turn comes up no more SUV's left even though we have reservations for one, what the heck! Well at that very moment a mini van get returned and we snatch it up so we load up the luggage and children and head to Tampa Airport. We get there and fly home with no issues, we were given voucher for 50% off our next Disney cruise to be used within one year of our sailing but since I was pregnant I couldn't sail within one year so I was granted an extension.

We were given a nice litho of Mickey, Donald, and Goofey playing on the beach but that was all we got. Nothing else special unique and the excursions were ok. DH and the boys did a dolphin and stingray excursion but it was pretty lame. We want to find one that actually has more interaction with the dolphins and this excursion was booked through DCL. Here is the biggest bummer we missed Castaway Cay but we made up for in 2006 with the first double dip to CC. Sorry I don't have more information but while it was a memorable cruise it would have been better w/o the hurricane.

 

[clower5luvzdiz]

Hi Clower Family... yes we were on the first Antigua sailing and it was awesome as it was also our first cruise but let me tell you the seas were horrific, we were hit with Hurrican Jeanne. We got booted off the ship early, herded onto buses to Swan/Dolphin (just our luck we get on a defective bus that lost power soon after we leave PC, people on the bus start getting cranky because it seems if we turn off the air conditioner on the bus it would run so we ride the remainder of the way with no air conditioner), we arrive at Swan at 2 am and they won't let us off the bus because the buses in front of us are still unloading but since I have my 18month old DD with us and she has to potty the driver lets me off and I am able to let her potty and sneak in to check us in as well, I call my DH to let him know our room number and he and my two DSs lug 5 suitcases, a stroller, and a Britax car seat into the lobby where we meet and go up to our room, I have the kids brush their teeth and hop into bed (2:30am), then I get on the phone to cancel our flights back home from MCO and try to change it to Tampa since they have closed MCO, then cancel the post night hotel accomodations, and reserve a SUV for our ride to Tampa. I finally get to bed at 4:30am and did I mention that I was 4 months pregnant at the time? Well DH goes to the lobby to get our rental car but guess what everybody is down there trying to get a rental car so when our turn comes up no more SUV's left even though we have reservations for one, what the heck! Well at that very moment a mini van get returned and we snatch it up so we load up the luggage and children and head to Tampa Airport. We get there and fly home with no issues, we were given voucher for 50% off our next Disney cruise to be used within one year of our sailing but since I was pregnant I couldn't sail within one year so I was granted an extension.

We were given a nice litho of Mickey, Donald, and Goofey playing on the beach but that was all we got. Nothing else special unique and the excursions were ok. DH and the boys did a dolphin and stingray excursion but it was pretty lame. We want to find one that actually has more interaction with the dolphins and this excursion was booked through DCL. Here is the biggest bummer we missed Castaway Cay but we made up for in 2006 with the first double dip to CC. Sorry I don't have more information but while it was a memorable cruise it would have been better w/o the hurricane.

Wow! That is a sad experience for Disney Cruise Lines to leave so many people displaced and during a hurricane!

We never plan a cruise from August to the end of October due to hurricane issues... and on our first DC to Western for 7 nights in early November we had a night of rough seas... everyone looked drunk as they swayed down the hallways.... hehehehe!

I am excited about this cruise and this group and meeting those onship that are in this Disboard group!

Imagine January on the equator! Yeahhh!

 

[krhardy]

krhardy, How was the sleep-over?

LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, DD Had a great time She's very big you know, she's 8!

 

[krhardy]

So who is doing tshirts and when is the deadline for picking a theme and shirt color and type and making them/paying for them???? will we get them on the cruise or will the price include shipping so we have them to wear onto the cruise?

Okay... Ready to hear from you guys!

I think I was going to take care of the shirts since I have a friend who will do them for cost! I think we were waiting on final design plans before deciding on embroidery v. heat pressing...cost factor per stitch.

We've got to get a theme/cruise name, decide on shirt color (although I think many liked the aqua) and decide what all we want...left breast v. full on front or back.

Heather (my friend) can do them for me pretty easily and quickly. The trick is getting over to her shop w/o my kids knowing since they don't know about the cruise
Fortunately, since we run our own business, I think I can pass it off as that...I just have to convince them that they don't need to come (they LOOOOVE coming to Ms. Heather's shop...I'm in the south-everybody is Ms. or Mr. )

 

[krhardy]

I'm also having trouble figuring out how to get my fish extender made w/o the kids knowing...I still like the idea of keeping it a secret until Christmas. The logistics involved with certain things are just starting to feel a bit overwhelming

 

[brack]

Brack and who ever else knows about this... wasn't it said that ending in an evend number used to be considered lucky?

On many threads the post that is made on the 00 or 000 is called "Capturing a Pirate". It is a bit of a game.

 

[tinytink]

I'm also having trouble figuring out how to get my fish extender made w/o the kids knowing...I still like the idea of keeping it a secret until Christmas. The logistics involved with certain things are just starting to feel a bit overwhelming

Like anything I want to keep a secret from the kids I have to do when they are sleeping then stash it in the closet because they never go in there. Yes, I understand that means I don't get my beauty sleep but what choice do I have? Good luck, I have to figure out how to make three of them since we have three staterooms.

 

[tinytink]

Hey guys, I just read on the main cruise board that the ship will still be decorated when we sail. yeah!!!

 

[krhardy]

KhakisMum...are you still coordinating the FE? If so, what is our count? I'm starting to seriously do my budgeting, and I want to make sure that I plan accordingly. That all has to fit in with my travel expenses, "evening attire" etc. I need to know how many birthday parties I need to work to pay for all this

 

[brack]

Hey guys, I just read on the main cruise board that the ship will still be decorated when we sail. yeah!!!

I love Christmas on the Magic!

 

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[tinytink]

thanks for posting those pics, don't they decorate with a huge gingerbread house or something like that?

 

[brack]

thanks for posting those pics, don't they decorate with a huge gingerbread house or something like that?

Yes and it is a good place for photos. I have another shot with my DW and I in front of it.

 

[brack]

Some more photos ....

 

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