12/20/07 Christmas Cruise 2007 (Updated DIS cruisers list)

[lllpath]

from DCL:

For the 12/22/07 sailing, we have not altered the schedule for our Ports
of Call. However, the Pirates In the Caribbean dinner and deck party is
currently scheduled for Night 5 (St. Thomas) vs. Night 4 (St. Maarten),
due to the Christmas holiday. Also, Guests can expect that many of the
shops that are normally open during the week will be closed in St
Maarten on December 25, 2007.

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

Sorry, I don't have the Palo ressie countdown info on hand - anyone know when our dates are for Palo's/excursion ressies? Generally, previous cruisers ("Castaway Club Members") can book earlier than the new cruisers. I want to say 75/60 days out, but please don't quote me there!

re: formal/semiformal. I don't really recall much of a difference between the two. You will see some families completely decked out, including formal gowns for the women, and matching tuxes for dads and boys. Others be less formal (and some, no attempt at all!). Lots of families use these nights for formal family pictures to be taken.


It's a nice excuse to dress up, but don't feel pressured or out of place. I really don't love to dress up. DH did have a suit with him, and my sons each wore a suit coat (2d hand) with dark 'khakis' on our last formal night. When my sons were 12 and 7 on our first cruise, the 12 yo had a jacket, the 7 year olds wore...I don't recall! Probably neat khakis and polo shirt. Most nights they wore khaki shorts and polos to dinner. Me, on our cruises I have worn my "little black dress" and also a silk sun dress with a silk shawl (it's freezing in there!).

Now, there's a lot of folks who say "it's my vacation and I'll wear what I want". Fine, I can understand that, to a point. But if you wear an undershirt and cutoffs, you may feel out of place, and you may miss out on some of the fun of making it a "special night out".

p.s. Hi Marcy! Welcome Aboard!!!

THank you for all of the information about formal night. I am torn on how far I want to go with this. I found a cute website with children's clothing that I know my DD10 would love to pick out a gown. Of course, we still have not told the kids about the trip, so having her pick out a gown right now would give that away. I also am not sure how much luggage I really want to pack. However, I love the idea of a formal family picture. Good thing I still have time to think about it!

 

[Hoppy]

from DCL:

For the 12/22/07 sailing, we have not altered the schedule for our Ports
of Call. However, the Pirates In the Caribbean dinner and deck party is
currently scheduled for Night 5 (St. Thomas) vs. Night 4 (St. Maarten),
due to the Christmas holiday. Also, Guests can expect that many of the
shops that are normally open during the week will be closed in St
Maarten on December 25, 2007.

Well, that answers several questions I won't be trying for Palo ressies on Night 5; I guess St. Maarten will be a beach day instead of a shopping excursion (dh will be happy!)

For Castaway Club members: less than a month til we can book our "extras".

 

[gordonandjackie]

Sorry to but in on this thread but we are thinking of going on christmas 2009 cruise. Can anyone tell me when the dates came out for 2007 cruise so that I can look around the same time for 2009.

Thank you

Jackie

 

[flexsmom]

Gordon & Jackie - Wish I could remember when they were first released, but I think it was during late spring/early summer of 2006 that I booked Christmas of '07. Whenever it was, I made sure to jump on it within days of the dates being released.

lllpath - THANK YOU for that e-mail!

I'm wondering if Formal night will still be on Sunday, per usual Eastern itineraries, and then maybe they'll have Semi-Formal night coincide with Christmas, since it is usually on Thursday and that's when Pirate night will be. What do you all think? I'd be kind of happy to get Formal night and pix out of the way. We're kind of thinking about having the kids stick with us for Christmas Even night, and then maybe giving them a "pass" on Christmas night to do the Clubs and do that as Palo night. I've always felt like the "build-up" and the significance of the day could be addressed on Christmas Eve, and then after the emotional rush the kids have on Christmas morning, it might be nice for them to just.....chill. (Of course, being able to wander around at a pool/beach on Christmas Day certainly will help in that regard! I'm thinking of doing a massage smack dab in the middle of the afternoon of the 25th and I'll think about the dinner I am NOT making for 15 people!)

Ressies open up for us this Friday night.....so I'm really starting to feel like we are RIGHT around the corner!

 

[Kailey's Mom]

Ressies open tonight/tomorrow morning for us!!!!

Do we get to make them at midnight EST or do I need to set my alarm for 3am??

I can't wait!!!! We are so excited!!!

 

[Hoppy]

I'm counting on Midnight EST!

Let's get this party started

Recap on the Bryan Crazy Christmas Cruise Clan:

Me: age unknown
DH: age unknown + two years
DD: 17
DD: 12

Dear MIL: No way I'm revealing her age

BIL #1
SIL #1
Their DS 's ages 13 and 9

BIL #2
SIL #2
Their cutie pie children: 4 and 1

 

[Kailey's Mom]

I'm counting on Midnight EST!

Let's get this party started

I am hoping that is the case!!!!

 

[rsschneck]

Made ressies for us and my parents

Palo's Brunch (check)
Palo's Dinner (check/check)
Sting Ray's (check)
Atlantis (check)
Seaworld (check)

We have to decide between Atlantis sub and the Seaworld Explorer semi-submissible. Any recommendations from anyone who has already done one of these?

 

[Hoppy]

Momentary panic at 11:05 p.m.CST last night. My regular web browser kept giving me an error on the Disney cruise site. Went to my back up browser and was able to get the important things booked.

Exotic rasul-Sunday

Palo Brunch-Monday; one party of four, one party of three

Spa villa for two-Thursday
Palo Dinner for four on Thursday

I tried to leave spots for the rest of you

Holly

 

[Kailey's Mom]

I got our ressies a little past midnight Sunday morning. I noticed they have changed things. Instead of asking how many in your group for Palo dining, they now ask for names of people dining with you on your ressie! How new is that? It wasn't that way when ressies were made for the Med cruises according to a friend of mine.....

89 days until our Dec 22 Christmas Cruise!!!! Still haven't told the kids!

 

[Dreamsoftravel]

i have found some sample menus on various websites. What are the ages that can eat off that menu? I have a DD10 and concerned she is too old to eat off that menu. She is considered too old at Disney World restaurants, is that the same on the cruise?

 

[rsschneck]

i have found some sample menus on various websites. What are the ages that can eat off that menu? I have a DD10 and concerned she is too old to eat off that menu. She is considered too old at Disney World restaurants, is that the same on the cruise?

On a cruise anyone can order off of any menu. Your daughter can order off the kids or adults menu. Whatever she wants she can have!

 

[Hoppy]

Actually, you can have just about anything you want even if it is NOT on the menu. On our last cruise, our table mates' child had spaghetti noodles topped with cheese every night.

 

[ReggieB]

I'm an Eastern 22 Dec lurker! I thought you all might be interested to read this press release from DCL. Very exciting! Looks like we shall be having lots of fun!

rsschneck - we seem to be going to both WDW and on DCL at the same time, how freaky is that?

Delight in the ‘Magic’ and ‘Wonder’ of the Holidays
Aboard Disney Cruise Line

CELEBRATION, Fla. – From the happy haunts of Halloween through the revelry of the new year, guests will discover an extra dose of pixie dust aboard Disney Cruise Line this holiday season. From traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts to “snowflake” sightings and seasonal caroling, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will sparkle with the joy of the holiday season.

The festivities begin on the Oct. 27 and 28 sailings, where guests can take part in some Halloween fun. Children will enjoy a trail of candy stations that culminates in a dance party on the top deck and special costume parties in each of the youth activity areas. For adults, there’s a dance party and costume contest with prizes for costume categories such as best group, most original and most Disney. With Halloween decorations throughout the ship and scary – as well as not-so-scary – movies playing in various venues, children of all ages will enjoy a uniquely Disney twist on this autumn tradition.

Then, beginning in late November, 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. Onboard, the festivities continue with special themed activities, decorations, and even a transformed winter wonderland on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

On Thanksgiving Day, guests will delight in a traditional Thanksgiving feast complete with roast turkey, stuffing and all the trimmings. After enjoying as much as they care to eat, guests can relax in a deck chair or partake in some of the many shipboard activities such as themed craft projects for the children. To top off the festivities, Mickey and Minnie will don their Thanksgiving costumes.

After Thanksgiving, guests will discover continued holiday cheer along with:

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 cruises).


Special family time for designing and decorating gingerbread houses.


A reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Mrs. Claus.


Traditional holiday feasts in Disney’s three themed dining rooms (Christmas cruises only).


Multiple faith and interdenominational holiday services (Christmas and Hanukkah cruises only).


A ship-wide party to ring in 2008 and a New Year’s Day tailgate party.


The holiday fun even extends to Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. When the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder arrive at the sandy Bahamian isle just after Thanksgiving, the island will be transformed into a Magical Wonderland – 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. At the beach, kids can dive into holiday-themed activities that include making candy cane reindeer, paper plate angels and snowflake mobiles.

The festivities begin on the Disney Magic on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing on Nov. 24, and on a special four-night Bahamian cruise leaving Nov. 21. Guests wishing to spend the Christmas holiday onboard Disney Cruise Line can enjoy a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise beginning Dec. 22, or a four-night Bahamian cruise departing Dec. 23.

From an extra treat on Halloween to a magical holiday season Thanksgiving through the New Year, Disney Cruise Line guests will cherish the memories made on board the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. 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 disneytravelagents.com.

 

[Mickey's n Me]

Just found the DIS boards. YIPPEE!!

We are going on the 12/22/07 Christmas Cruise. Another YIPPEE!!

This will be our second cruise with DCL. Our last cruise was Thanksgiving 2004 on the Magic. Needless to say we are all looking forward to our upcoming adventure. On this cruise we will be a group of 10... 6 are DCL newbies.

Me: ??
DH: ??
DD" 15
DD: 14

GM: ?? (She would do me in if I told.)

FIL: ?? (He probably wouldn't mind.)

SIL: ?? younger than me
BIL: ??
DS: 14
DD: 12

Counting Down the days!

 

[Mickey's n Me]

Me again.

There was some discussion about formal night. We saw everything from formal to cutoffs on our last cruise. DH and I went formal and our DD's, 11 & 12 at the time, wore cocktail length dresses. This was a surprise cruise for them, they didn't know until we pulled up to the ship (we drove). DH and I told the girls that we were going to a "Fancy Resort" for Thanksgiving and they would need nice dresses for dinner. The girls were excited about getting to pick out something special to wear. Needless to say they were even more excited when they realized where they were going to get to wear those dresses.

I love surprises!

 

[rsschneck]

I updated the cruisers list on page one. If I have forgotten anyone or you want more information added just send me a PM.

 

[rsschneck]

Our DD is 10 (will be 11 in January). If there is another girl cruising that will be in the 10-12 year old group and would like an email buddy prior to the cruise please send me a PM.

 

[Im_A_Princess]

DH and I will be on the Magic Dec. 22, 2007 for the 7 day Eastern.

Last year, on the Wonder, the Gingerbread Cookies were AWESOME! I can not wait! I think DH booked this Christmas cruise just for the cookies-LOL