3/28/09 Spring Break Magic in St. Croix

[gagamouse]

My DD is 7 she will turn 8 soon as we get home. She is also very out going. She will be very excited to meet other girls her age. We are starting to pack. I can't beleive we are only days away.

I agree dis boards are very addicting.

 

[kcashner]

We're driving 3 hours to Nashville and flying from there. The direct flights on Southwest were sold out and Delta no longer does directs (grrr.) Driving to Nashville will save me $500 and not take any longer than a flight with a layover. We flew last trip...I couldn't face another 14 hour drive this soon.

I'd strongly encourage you to start your kids in their "age appropriate" groups rather than automatically trying to move them up. If their age group isn't fitting, then talk to the CMs, and they can usually allow a move. DCL has lots of experience with kids and has fine tuned the groups over the years. They are pretty well planned and pretty appropriate. You're in a much stronger position to say "My almost 8 tried the 5-7 group two days and it's just too young for her" than "My kid is so mature that she just needs to move up." Yes, I know you wouldn't phrase it that way, but you get the idea.

 

[mumom95]

We're driving 3 hours to Nashville and flying from there. The direct flights on Southwest were sold out and Delta no longer does directs (grrr.) Driving to Nashville will save me $500 and not take any longer than a flight with a layover. We flew last trip...I couldn't face another 14 hour drive this soon.

I'd strongly encourage you to start your kids in their "age appropriate" groups rather than automatically trying to move them up. If their age group isn't fitting, then talk to the CMs, and they can usually allow a move. DCL has lots of experience with kids and has fine tuned the groups over the years. They are pretty well planned and pretty appropriate. You're in a much stronger position to say "My almost 8 tried the 5-7 group two days and it's just too young for her" than "My kid is so mature that she just needs to move up." Yes, I know you wouldn't phrase it that way, but you get the idea.

Her age appropriate group would be the 8-9 year olds, she turns 8 the second day of the cruise. Unless, are you recommending she go to the 5-7 age group club on Saturday and then switch over to the 8-9 age group club on Sunday? It seems to me she'd miss out on all the info they give the first night if she did that.

 

[KAH]

DD is going into the 5-7 age group. She really wants to bake cookies, and she saw on a navigator that group gets to do it. Of all the fun activities, she focused on the cookies....too funny. Of course, I'm focusing on all the talk of good food as well.

For past DIS cruisers, do you use the laundry facilities? Are they super crowded? I'm starting to lay clothes out for the cruise and figured I need to take an outfit a day for the kids, because you know kids and how dirty they can get. Add to that some nicer clothes for dinner, and we are talking about lots of clothes.

 

[starview]

My DGS turns 8 the beginning of May but he will be going into the Club. He's a little shy & I defininitely think he would do better with being one of the oldest instead of one of the youngest.

I just hope he doesn't want to spend too much time in the Club because we adore our time with him & want to be able to enjoy activities with him as well. We'll definitely be picking him up for all meals to share with us.

Another -35 degree morning today with windchill although it is supposed to begin the warming trend this afternoon. I'm just picturing lazing on a lounge at Castaway Cay to keep me warm.

 

[kcashner]

Her age appropriate group would be the 8-9 year olds, she turns 8 the second day of the cruise. Unless, are you recommending she go to the 5-7 age group club on Saturday and then switch over to the 8-9 age group club on Sunday? It seems to me she'd miss out on all the info they give the first night if she did that.

Absolutely, a child who turns 8 on the second day of the cruise belongs in the 8 year old group. The DCL policy is that if they are within 30 days of the birthday, they can go into the new group.

My concern is with the 7 or "almost 7" where mom wants them in with their 9 year old sib, etc.

Sorry if I caused confusion.

 

[kcashner]

DD is going into the 5-7 age group. She really wants to bake cookies, and she saw on a navigator that group gets to do it. Of all the fun activities, she focused on the cookies....too funny. Of course, I'm focusing on all the talk of good food as well.

For past DIS cruisers, do you use the laundry facilities? Are they super crowded? I'm starting to lay clothes out for the cruise and figured I need to take an outfit a day for the kids, because you know kids and how dirty they can get. Add to that some nicer clothes for dinner, and we are talking about lots of clothes.

First, for the kids...get some gallon sized bags, or re-use the plastic bags you get at the grocery store. Put one kid outfit in a bag for each day. Include socks and underwear. Each morning, you only have to get out a bag for each kid--no scrambling for clothes. I have a suitcase that folds up to the size of a manilla envelope and not much thicker--it is my dirty clothes bag. I instruct that it is for "underwear and clothes that are too dirty to be worn again." We have another place to put the shorts or top that you wore for 2 hours and didn't spill anything on--that can be worn again. Dinner clothes (if no spills) can definitely be worn again.

The laundry rooms are well maintained. They can be crowded--obviously, they get worse as the cruise progresses. The least crowded times are EARLY in the morning and on port days. The cost is $1 for washer, $1 for dryer (you may need more time in the dryer). Detergent is for sale or bring your own. They take quarters, but there is a change machine or get change at GS. I prefer not to do laundry for a "cruise only," if we do WDW, I do all my laundry on the last night so we get on the ship with everything clean.

Just a FYI...sometimes characters come to visit in the Club...not always on the schedule. Also, there is a "make a frame" activity and the kids will get a free photo of themselves with a character to put in their frame IF they are in the club for that activity.

 

[KAH]

Thanks for the idea about the kid's clothing. I really don't want to do laundry on the cruise, but am glad that it is available. Mom is on vacation, too!

 

[kcashner]

If anyone cares....cat 4,5,6, and 7 are now available on our cruise....I've got my balcony, but this bodes well for those thinking about upgrades at the port.

 

[mumom95]

If anyone cares....cat 4,5,6, and 7 are now available on our cruise....I've got my balcony, but this bodes well for those thinking about upgrades at the port.

Feel free to throw pixie dust my way, we'd love a balcony.

When we get to the ship we are going to ask what it would cost to upgrade to a balcony. I've read that sometimes you can get an upgrade for much cheaper the day of the cruise, so we thought we would try.

 

[kcashner]

Feel free to throw pixie dust my way, we'd love a balcony.

When we get to the ship we are going to ask what it would cost to upgrade to a balcony. I've read that sometimes you can get an upgrade for much cheaper the day of the cruise, so we thought we would try.

We've upgraded at the port three times now. In each case, it cost about 1/2 of what it would have cost to book the upgrade originally. Most recently, we went from a cat 12 to a 6 on a 4 day sailing for $411. On a 7 day, we did a 12 to an 8 for about $236. I think a 6 on that cruise was $6??...didn't do it, so don't remember.

 

[skohrs]

We have a Gty Cat 6 and were just placed on deck 5, and we already have a cat 7 on deck 6. We have been trying to get the Cat 6 moved from deck 5 to deck 6 so the entire family will at least be on the same deck, but all of the cat 4, 5, 6 and 7's they are showing available right now are also Gty. DCL has told us that there are no specific cabins available on Deck 6 at this time. Hopefully, we can get changed to a deck 6 cabin at the port. Keeping our fingers crossed.

 

[RalphM]

maybe we can sit together because we decided that we are not getting dressy for formal nite...we are driving and do not have any extra room...would rather pack more "play" clothes...

 

[Dave and Micha]

Hi Everyone... we just got off a back to back on the Magic and had a fantastic time! Would anyone be willing to help us continue a running gag we have going with our favorite server in Palo, Roberto?

Either go up to him and ask tell him Dave and Michael told you to ask him for the free drink... or just tell him that we've got our eyes on him.

We had such a fun time the entire two weeks and he made some funny comments about Disboards, etc.

If you have Palo reservations and don't have a favorite server, give him a try.

Thanks... and if anyone needs any port info....

 

[starview]

I've seen on the boards where DIS members have arranged sitting together but I would imagine there are logistical nightmares to achieve that. Does anyone have experience with that?

 

[alikat99]

I've seen on the boards where DIS members have arranged sitting together but I would imagine there are logistical nightmares to achieve that. Does anyone have experience with that?

Actually, it's extremely easy! I've done it for every one of my DCL cruises. One person just needs to call DCL with everyone's confirmation #, last name and cabin number. You just have to link the reservations, and DCL does the rest. It's actually very fun. We're hoping to switch to early seating, if possible, when we get there, otherwise, I'd LOVE to link ressies with another family!!!

And, one time, we linked a whole BUNCH of DISers together (about 80 of us) and we had one whole section of the dining room!!!

 

[starview]

Actually, it's extremely easy! I've done it for every one of my DCL cruises. One person just needs to call DCL with everyone's confirmation #, last name and cabin number. You just have to link the reservations, and DCL does the rest. It's actually very fun. We're hoping to switch to early seating, if possible, when we get there, otherwise, I'd LOVE to link ressies with another family!!!

And, one time, we linked a whole BUNCH of DISers together (about 80 of us) and we had one whole section of the dining room!!!

We'd also love to link with other DISers, especially if they have a DS close to our DGS's age of 7. We're on early seating.

 

[kcashner]

As above, linking reservations is very easy. One person (or their TA) needs to call DCL and have the information for both parties--name, reservation number is all that's needed.

What's everyone doing in St. Croix? Anyone know for sure where the boat docks?

 

[mumom95]

We'd be up for linking ressies too, if other people are interested. We have first seating.

We are doing the Buck Island snorkeling trip in St. Croix. The reviews so far for it are pretty good.

 

[disneyfreak1]

We have first seating as well and would much rather have dinner with people we already "sort of" know. However, can someone else coordinate it?