10-5-02 Magic Cruise

[Dancind]

Perhaps more proof that we are on a ghost cruise... Travelzoo lists a special for certain fall Eastern cruises on the Magic. $549 per person, based on quadruple occupancy, category 11. Diana

 

[abitjaded]

Interesting, when we tried to straighten out our cabin mess directly with DCL, we could not get back the cabins we were told we first had, the DCL agent said the "trip was pretty full". I thought DCL never discounted cruises at the last minute? C'mon DCL free UPGRADES for all!!!!!

 

[abitjaded]

Californiaamy, welcome. I think you have to request the early seating during the ressies rush, looks like the old Navigators show to do this in Sessions. deck 3 forward between 2:00-3:00 on Saturday. Post this to the general board and I bet you'll get some experienced advice.

twhipple, welcome to you too.

Twinave??? are you coming with us or just bumping because we are such a fascinating group

Got a couple copies of the shore excursion flyers from our TA finally. Trying to decide, will probably take the private shoretrips to Buck Island, and just rent a van or cab on St. Maarten. We have been to both Islands before, but it has been a long time. Gotta find someplace good to snorkel on StM.

 

[Californiaamy]

abitjaded, thanks for the info on trying to change the dining to first seating...I'll cruise the boards some more and see if I find anyone else asking, as well.

There must be a somewhat-full house if the early seating is full -- you'd think it would be a bunch of cruisers with little kids that would otherwise be sleeping in their milk at 8:30 (like us - any others out there?) that all requested the first seating, but maybe there's a ton of seniors on board, and that why we're not hearing from them online!

Does it matter how many DISers we have to meet? Hey, let's get it together...you're all invited to our room! We'll be in 5xxx...

OK, I give, what the heck does "bump" mean?

 

[Dancind]

Californiaamy, what are the odds? We're going to be next door ! Welcome aboard, neighbor! We have late seating. Any time a thread gets a new post, it gets moved to the top of the category, in this case, the DCL Cruise Message Board. Bumped up, if you will, hence "bump". Diana

 

[goofysgirl]

If you look at the web site it looks like the only cat that is not available is 12. Price hasn't changed much. I am still hoping that they will discount or upgrade. I booked this cruise two years ago because I was worried about availability. Silly me. Oh, and have I been shopping. The girls found gowns in Filene's super sale. DH has a new spiffy suit and I am searching for the perfect shawl. I never new bargin hunting could be so much fun! And to all those formal flame throwers HA!

 

[abitjaded]

Going, going....

Jean at Shoretrips has a trip for us if there are any other takers. The morning of our stop in St Tom we can charter a boat. My math stinks Dancind, we can charter it for $299 for six, plus $58 for any number above that, we so far have 10 takers at $531. Or we can have the whole boat, up to 18, for $657, that would be 36.50 a person, (yipes, the math still is strange),cheaper than DCL and sounds like they would meet us at the dock and allow a bit more snorkel and beach, two snorkel sites and shelling! DCL has two trips here, either for six max or a cast of thousands. The trip is half day and gives us time to shop or check a few sightseeing venues.

Advanced snorkel trip:

http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search3.asp?rcode=CAR&lcode=STT

am going to book the whole thing, figure this way we are not at the mercy of others. If you are interested in joining our trip, PM me or email me.

Californiaamy, think your cabin would hold us all? Might be kinda like the old Volkswagon trick, or how many goldfish can you swallow.....

 

[Californiaamy]

OK gals -- dancind and goofysgirl -- we'll only have each other to blame for noise! Have your DH bring the beermaking stuff...my DH has done some too and will help drink it!

I have been searching for the purrrrrrfect new bathing suit for those 8 lbs I have to lose (who said they got one at newport news online?) but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for there. nordstroms.com had the best I liked, but any other recommendations as to good selections? I'd love to be able to pick my top and bottom as separates...

abitjaded, yes, it is the VW theory -- there's always room for more! And depending if DH is golfing in St. Thomas, I may join your snorkel trip. I will know better next week.

amy

 

[abitjaded]

Hey,

I was the one who suggested Newportnews. They also had bathing suit separates. Lands End also has separates online (or did). Last year I got a great suit at Lord and Taylor (they have great 75% off sales, at the moment they are 50% off as are most of the department stores around here).

Blackgauldron, from Belgium ,were also into beer, but anyone heard from them in a while?

I finished making my dress for formal night, from Hong Kong silk my dad bought years ago, and well.. Amy, eight pounds to lose, you lucky dog. Not only do I need to lose some, what will be left needs to be relocated. Tried on a bunch of my old LBDs and same result.

Carla

 

[Dancind]

Here's my philosphy on bathing suits: if it covers you, buy it! I like evening gowns better, they cover more! My DD and I went shopping at Macy's and Foley's last week, and then had a fashion show for Dad. Is anyone taking TWO gowns, one for formal night and one for semi-formal night? Wow, the sales were so good. Carla, I think we might find more snorkelers as it gets closer to trip time, it sounds like a great trip! We may be like you, Amy, but at St. Martins. My DH might do the Scuba Dive excursion. If that's the case, I'm thinking shopping, and I'd really like to see Marigot. Don't think DH will bring the beer making equipment, but we will probably be buying a few bottles of any microbrew beer we can find before we get on the ship (and wine for me). I'm glad we don't have adjoining cabins, but that would have worked well for a party! OK, who's been on the Magic or Wonder? There must be a cozy spot where we can meet, where kids are allowed, but there's also a bar? Diana

 

[Dancind]

Re-reading my posts, I sound like such a lush! We're not that bad really! The only thing I can handle is wine, and usually not more than two glasses a night. Wondering how I can make that second glass last if we go dancing... Diana

 

[Californiaamy]

Diana,

you're right, I should probably go with the most coverage!

As for the formal/semi-formal night, I think I have one long gown that will work, and one cocktail dress that will work for the other night. Don't let me loose on the sales!

Are you divers, too? We are probably going to dive at St. Maarten, I think. I have been to St. Thomas and St. John before (waaaaaayyy back when) but still would like the chance to explore both St. T and St. M and at least WINDOW shop....

But I feel guilty leaving the rug rat on the ship, so one of those submarine rides for him may be in order.

We'll pack some home brew, too, and find a spot to open it...maybe secret deck on 7? No bar there, but are you not allowed to uncork your own stuff in a "public" spot?

and I was just thinking I sounded like a lush. But I'd rather bring a nicer bottle of wine than what they most likely have and at a reasonable price...

amy

 

[Dancind]

My DH is getting re-certified at scuba diving before we go, I'm not involved. Our daughter will be taking lessons too, but she won't be certified. So it's snorkeling for us! Amy, check your PM's. Diana

 

[twhipple]

Carla, DH and I may be interested in the trip on St. Thomas. We're still trying to decide what to do there. On St. Martin we're going it alone to the French side. I hear the food in Grand Case is wonderful.

Dancind and Californiaamy, are you both into wine? I collect wine and will be having a wine tasting three weeks before we cruise! I don't drink a lot, but LOVE to drink wine

I've got to find those sales. I need to get a new suit (down 17 pounds so far!).

 

[Dancind]

A wine collector! I used to have a small collection, even a wine vault, but my taste began to outstrip my budget! So what have you decided to do on the cruise? Pay the corkage fee or buy the package? Your opinion of the wines on the packages would be worthwhile. I do want to do a couple of the tastings on the cruise, sounds like fun and I think you get a pin! Hope you decide to snorkel at St. Thomas, our family of three is going too. (OK, you all may notice that I edit a lot of my messages. Seems I don't see typos when they're in that little box.) Diana

 

[twhipple]

Yes, I have a small collection of about 300 bottles. Mostly from California that I have hand-picked on my travels.

As for the wine package, I will pass. I don't want to get the lower priced package. I have had most of them. There's nothing wrong with the wines, I just have a hard time with the price. Even with the corkage fees I could spend a lot less. I definitely plan to get the Muscat that others have spoke of on the boards. Muscat is my favorite. But I'm also into anything red. Our plan is to take a towncar to WDW (we're staying at the Swan for three nights before the cruise) and stop and buy wine in Florida for the trip. I can't wait to get some french wines in St. Martin.

I also noticed on the sample Navigators that there are some wine events some of the evenings. I think they will be more fun than the tasting. It sounds like the tasting is pretty basic. Mine however, will not be basic!!

DH and I will do the wine tasting on Sunday (if it's still offered then). In addition to my wine collecting, I also love to entertain so I will be going to all of the Art of Entertaining classes. DH wants to do all the behind the scenes gatherings.
Tracy

 

[abitjaded]

My DH and I checked out the wines offered on both the standard and the premium wine package. Our local wine buyer showed us what they had. By the time you buy at your store, then add the corkage fee, it prices pretty much the same. By the bottle may be cheaper, especially for the premium wines. The packages, if you drink a bit of all, come in at reasonable, plus you do not have to haul the stuff. Coming back from France once with too many temptations, I can vouch for the sense of purchasing on board. Another poster had mentioned that the Fess Parker and one other were special just for Walt's 100 birthday, not obtainable elsewhere.

On our previous cruise we had purchased some wine in Marigot, StM. You could get some good things. Just be aware that multiple warnings have been posted about making sure the wine has been stored well, it can age very fast in the heat of the tropics. The motion of the ship also increases aeration of the wine and speeds ageing.

Carla

 

[abitjaded]

I have emailed Jean at Shoretrips to book the whole boat for 18 for the morning of October 9 in StT. So far we are 10?

Carla

 

[abitjaded]

For those of us extending the trip to WDW the park hours for October are posted:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wa...rsindex?id=SEAllParksLocationCrit&date=102002


This web site has both the regular and the premium wine packages listed:

http://psiklops.brinkster.net/Trips/ShowDoc.aspx?TripDateID=1&DocumentID=15

And last, the Buck Island trip is up to 12!

Carla

P.S. Tracey, what restaurants are you going to visit in Grand Case? I have read that this is also a pretty nice beach that may even have some decent snorkeling. Any more info?

 

[twhipple]

I'm waiting to get the info. I know two people who go to St. Martin a lot and recommended going there. One of them is getting some more info for me. She said the best beach to go to is Bikini Beach. When I get more info, I'll pass it along.

Can't wait to snorkel on St. Thomas/Buck Island!

Tracy