11/22/08 Thanksgiving 2008 cruise thread. Double Dipping Travelling Turkeys!

[meegster]

Smart girl, disneypoor ! I didn't think of doing that. That would be great if we could each get them - I see you're late seating and we're early!

 

[disneypoor]

Smart girl, disneypoor ! I didn't think of doing that. That would be great if we could each get them - I see you're late seating and we're early!

They told me they couldn't make any guarantees (especially that far out), but I figured I'd go ahead and request to have atleast one of them.

 

[GotDisney?]

Like many of y'all, I have been searching the web for any clue about how Thanksgiving might be while we are on the cruise. Below is an exerpt of something I found at http://www.shipsandcruises.com/family_cruises.htm for holidays 2006:

"All That Glitters is Holiday Magic Aboard Disney Cruise Ships
Holiday magic will deck the halls and add sparkle to the decks for guests who sail with Disney Cruise Line beginning this Thanksgiving and continuing through to the New Year. Both Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will spread an abundance of holiday cheer, from traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to “snowflake” sightings and seasonal caroling.

A special ten-night Holiday Caribbean Cruise is planned for Disney Magic from December 16 through December 26. The Eastern/Southern Caribbean cruise will call at ports not typically on the Disney Magic cruise itinerary, including St. Lucia and Antigua.

The spirit of the season will surround cruise guests from the moment they arrive at Port Canaveral, Fla. Disney characters decked out in their finest holiday attire will welcome guests to the lavishly decorated private cruise terminal. During holiday sailings, guests will discover:

A nearly three-deck-tall tree festooned with decorations in the atrium lobby, where “snow” flurries fall and a tree-lighting ceremony occurs; a Christmas Day visit from Santa Goofy, with surprises for all the kids; international holiday caroling by crew members from around the globe (exclusively on the Christmas cruise); and special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.

There are also traditional holiday feasts in Disney’s three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruise only) as well as multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruise only).
On New Year’s Eve, a ship-wide party to ring in 2007 and a New Year’s Day tailgate party.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney Magic embarks on a special Western Caribbean journey, during which the ship sails twice to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The seven-night voyage departs November 18, arriving first at Castaway Cay for the usual Disney Cruise Line visit. Thanksgiving festivities complete with Thanksgiving Day meal with all the trimmings, craft activities with a focus on pilgrim hats and turkeys, and visits by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse dressed in Thanksgiving costumes.

When the ship returns the day after Thanksgiving, the island will be transformed into a Magical Wonderland, where the sandy Bahamian isle becomes a “snowy” holiday hideaway. “Snow” flurries will fall like magic, Christmas trees will glow and carolers will croon. Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, wearing shell noses and tropical attire, will greet guests with a sleigh full of presents. The tram that transports guests across the 1,000-acre island will be reindeer themed, complete with antlers and tail. A four-night Disney Wonder cruise stops at Castaway Cay on Thanksgiving Day.

At the beach, families can learn the art of sand sculpting, and kids can dive into holiday-themed activities that include making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake-mobiles.
The Disney Magic 10-Night Holiday Caribbean Cruise departs Dec. 16, with visits to Key West, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay. The Disney Wonder four-night Christmas cruise departs Dec. 24, with visits to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

To celebrate the New Year, Disney Magic departs on its seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary Dec. 30; Disney Wonder departs Dec. 31 for its four-night cruise.

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Disney Cruise Line guests will experience a magical holiday to remember. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit disneycruise.com or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500. Travel agents can call Disney Cruise Line at 888/325-2500 or visit www.disneytravelagents.com."

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

I haven't seen the Magic with Christmas decorations, but the Wonder was absolutely beautiful decorated for Christmas (in 05). Castaway Cay was festive too, with snowmen, wreaths, etc. Those of you that cruised last November, were the decorations already up? Someone on the main board said that they decorate in early November.

Susan--I should have known you were on top of the dining situation. If you PM me your ressie number I'll call tomorrow and get us linked (I'm not transfering my ressie to my TA this time until I absolutely have to, otherwise the CMs won't even talk to me)

 

[love2travel]

I can't wait to see the ship decorated for Christmas and I definately want to see Castaway Cay decorated!!!!

 

[tjeagle]

GotDisney?~~~THANK YOU for that holiday info! As bad of a secret keeper I am...I am going to try and NOT tell the kids about the winter decorations at CC on the second stop!

Hope all are well! My visits to the web site are few and far between with the whole move thing looming!

I'm feelin the pain of all you Jerseyites! We had 3 inches of water in our crawl space after the storm Sunday..... Still pumping it out now!

 

[disneypoor]

Stacie--I know that this is very sad, but I don't have my ressie number memorized yet for this trip. My DH would be shocked! I'm at work now, but will find it tonight and PM it to you. Take care!
Susan

 

[AF5FAM]

My home computer is finally working again! It was a problem with the cable company's external modem and not my computer...YEAH! So now I can catch up on all the news. GotDisney? thanks for the great info on holiday cruising.

Stacie and/or Susan, I just linked reservations with the two other families going with us and the CM told me that she couldn't lock in a specific seating time for early dining (ie. 5:30, 5:45, or 6:00 pm). Let me know if you get the same response, I was sure I read somewhere on the board that people requested specific times. Maybe it's because we're still so far out, but I like to have input when it comes to planning for food!!

Have a great day!
Lorie

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

When I booked this cruise the CM asked me if I wanted early or late seating, when I said late he asked what time slot I wanted. I asked him when they started asking that and he said recently, I asked if it was a reservation or request and he said reservation. When I posted my experience on the main board I was assured that the CM was mistaken and that it was on a request. Either way, I put in my "request" for 8:15 and the PLA rotation. I guess we'll see, that's the rotation we've gotten both times, so I'm thinking we'll get it again.

 

[disneypoor]

They didn't ask me for a specific time slot, but they did ask if I wanted early or late dining. I totally agree about needing to know how to plan for food. Afterall, that's the most important part of the trip, isn't it?

 

[Suzy Mouse]

GotDisney? Thank you so much for finally bringing us to light with what they do for Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see Castaway Cay!!! It's going to be MAGICAL!!!

 

[GotDisney?]

Okay, newbie question here - what day to seek ressies for Palo and which meal if you can have only one?

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Kimi Anne (GotDisney?)--
DO NOT miss the Palo Brunch (usually available on sea days, maybe another day too, I'm not sure). They have all kinds of breads, cheeses, seafood dishes, and their famous pizzas. My favorite was the DESSERTS. RV had some great pictures of the Palo brunch spread in his trip report (ignore the two bloated people in the background). If you have two staterooms you can make two brunch ressies and two dinner ressies, if you want to. Last cruise DH and I had two of each booked but cancelled one of each because we thought it wouldn't be as special if we went too much. Just don't schedule both the brunch and the dinner there on the same day, WAY too much food.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Some of us had already mentioned doing "the David and Ivan" tour on Costa Maya. I PMed LBGraves (one of the moderators) because I knew the 12/9/06 Double Dippers had a private tour with him and had a really good experience. This is what she sent me back:

Their website is http://www.thenativechoice.com

Description of tour by David:
Some areas in different sites have been forbidden direct access by the Federal Government due to vandalism. The kids are allowed to climb the big foundations and almost all of the ruins. The archeologists are afraid that the ceilings of some unopened tombs may collapse, so some cannot be climbed on.

Kids will enjoy the tour. They will find small fruits like coconuts from a palm tree. We are not allowed to open them. The place has a nice jungle, termites nests, vines, trees, palms, bromeliads, and orchids. He will give some of the plants and leaves to the kids personally with an interactive tour as long as the parents agree.

Cost:
Adults and kids 12+: $50.00
Kids 11 & under: $47.00

We will be picked up at the pier at 8:30 am to avoid having to get a taxi to the city where the tour normally starts.

They also stopped at one of the local schools and donated school supplies that they had brought. Their tour had 91 people which they provided 2 busses for. Should I e-mail and tentatively reserve the day for us?

Also she told me that the Palo brunches were offered on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with the character breakfasts being on Monday, Tuesday, Friday (dependent upon your dining rotation).

 

[disneylover5]

I haven't posted here very much yet. We are busy on our Med cruise thread and then I get to go on both repos though the Panama Canal! I feel so lucky.

This has been a tough week in my house. We were in Blacksburg, VA this past weekend as my oldest DS17 will be an incoming freshman to VA Tech!! They had a HOKIE FOCUS weekend for the kids who had been accepted!! We had so much fun! I graduated from Tech in 79!

On Monday, 2 of my son's friends did not make it though the shooting rampage. They will be buried next week. Then to top it off, we found out the evil murderer had attended my son High School.

Very long story, but I wanted you to see and read the front of the VA Tech Newspaper today. This pretty much killed me.....Please listen to the advice of the professor.....

 

[disneypoor]

Disneylover5--I am so sorry for the loss of your son's friends and the many other lives lost in this horrific attack. I am a school teacher, and this is just so heart wrenching and scary. I am tired of seeing video of the sick individual who performed this crime and do hope that the media begins focusing on the lives of the individuals who were shot. My thoughts and prayers will be with your family and all of those who were affected by the Virginia Tech shooting.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

disneylover5--Hugs and prayers to your family. I hope you can feel the love and support that so many of us have for families like yours and the VT community although we can't even imagine what your going through.

 

[AF5FAM]

Disneylover5, thanks so much for the reminder that we should never leave words of love and appreciation unspoken. It's so easy to let the business of every day life overshadow the really important relationships we are blessed to have in our lives. Our prayers continue for the family, students and friends of Virginia Tech.
Lorie

 

[love2travel]

The sun is finally out here in NJ and I spent the day outside doing yard work.
It is so nice to see the sun again and it's also warm, which makes it even better!!!

 

[disneypoor]

The sun is out here in Kansas too. It is 80 degrees today and beautiful! I'm getting ready to go to our walking park and soak up some of the gorgeous weather!