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

[mommavon]

We are finally getting to go on our very first cruise, and of course it HAS to be Disney. It will be me, DH, DS16,DD11,DS10, grandma and grandpa. So sad that DS20 won't be able to come also. I have had a lot of fun planning and researching. We have decided to book a couple of excursons through Disney, even though they are a bit pricey. We figure, we'd go our first time and get an idea of how it all works. Plus I have an irrational fear of missing the ship!

We have decided on the Salt River Kayak tour in St Croix and the Buck Island Catamaran/Snorkel excursion at St John/St Thomas.

I was trying to book some parasailing at CC but it won;t let me, I am too tired to mess wiht it tonight. I am either too late or need to break us into smaller groups.

As for Palo--got on the first day I could to make ressies and they were all gone except for our first night. I am hoping that some fairy dust will find me when we get there and I can book on board, really wanted to do a high tea and a brunch also, guess it's all a good reason to go again if it doesn't work out this time

Looking forward to this! Hope you all have a wonderful time.

Regarding your excursion, I wonder if I should leave my kids or take them. Their ages are below. I am concerned bc who says the tour people wanna watch my youngin's while I am in the water and I can hear them scared now - momma a shark is gonna eat you don't jump in, don't leave me - - - blahhh what would you recommend?

 

[mommavon]

Has someone posted or does anyone know what the "nights" will be for our trip? For example, formal, semi-formal, Pirates, etc? I would think that if this is not yet published, the current "Eastern" Itinerary would be our best guess - substituting St. Croix for St. Martin....

Not sure if you have your answer already but I found great information ion the St Croix thread. A family just returned from the MAgic Cruise there and totally are sharing all the scoop.



Saturday - Cruise Casual

Sunday - Formal

Monday - see Saturday

Tuesday - Pirate

Wednesday - see Saturday

Thursday - Captain's Gala - lobster night - Semi Formal

Friday - see Saturday

Of course there are different shows and themes each night. I hope this is the question you were asking and I answered it just briefly!!

So excited like 71 days!!!

 

[mommavon]

We are - will anyone be joining us?

Can you get this moved up?

What's the best stuff to eat on a cruise and to stay away from.



BTW, Random thoughts! CVS here in Indianapolis has Sunscreen on sale right now it's like $1.50 up to $3.00 on clearance!!! I found 5 bottles of SPF 70. It's the good can spray that is clear - the newer style and it's banana boat. Yee haw! Can't have enjoy PSF protection, the last thing I wanna deal with is a sunburnt child.

Does DCL - cast members do a good job of keeping your kiddos covered???

 

[mommavon]

We too are not signing up for much. I went outside of Disney and signed up for a VIP sailing Adventure in St. Thomas. It will just be our family of 5 on a private yacht. They have something like it in St. Croix through Disney and I did inquire about the cost, 1299.00 for 6.5 hours. Exactly double what we are paying for the same time.
I think we will just hit the beach in St. Croix. I was reading about St. Croix and only one cruise ship docks there a day so it is not as crowded as some other ports.
One night at Palo and a pedicure and we are calling it good.

I asked about the 3 night cruise for $99.00 pp and they said there will be paperwork about it in our cabins when we get on the ship.

I also asked if formal night, pirate night etc. were the same as the the other eastern cruises and they did not have that info but hopefully it is the same. I booked Palo for formal night because we just are not the formal type.

88 days and counting!

Please tell me more about the $99 pp 3 day sailing is this an incentive to get us to come back???!!! Do tell or send me somewhere to find more info.

 

[mommavon]

We booked our cruise a while back through Dreams Unlimited. Does anyone know if we want to get this deal, do we have to cancel our current reservation and re-book using the new code, do we just contact our TA and they add this on, or can we just add it on during the cruise?

Do you know if I can take more than one person on this deal, I know it's limited to availability but can I take ohh 8 people for this price as long as I attend. It sounds like a great fall break 2009 escape!!!!

Thanks in advance for your prompt reply.

 

[mommavon]

Hi there,

If you would like to participate, please pm me your names, age and sex of your children, and cabin number.

Thanks,
Pam

When will I find out my cabin number????? and how?? I booked this on Sunday and haven't gotten anything in email nor snailmail.

SOoooo anxious can you tell!?? 71 days and counting

 

[disneyfreak1]

What category did you book? If you booked a category 12, you won't get your cabin number until about 30 days out. If you don't have one, no problem, we are all going to meet once we board so we can get updated cabin numbers in case anyone gets upgraded. Also, it will give all of us a chance to meet each other.

 

[6mouskateers]

6mouskateers,
I did not get the Palo reservations I wanted on our first cruise as well but when I got onto the ship I raced over to the area where you make Palo reservations. (I think it was in Beat Street right next to the entrance.) and they had lots of openings. I think the save plenty for when people get on the ship but make sure you go right when you get on, just one person from your party needs to go and it only takes a minute.
Sandie

I was hoping to hear something like this.

Have you ever done the High Tea or Brunch? I plan to try and do ALL of the above, although, it is a good reason to crusie again...

 

[6mouskateers]

Regarding your excursion, I wonder if I should leave my kids or take them. Their ages are below. I am concerned bc who says the tour people wanna watch my youngin's while I am in the water and I can hear them scared now - momma a shark is gonna eat you don't jump in, don't leave me - - - blahhh what would you recommend?

Hi mommavon,

Our kiddos are a bit older, so they will be coming with us. If you are booking through Disney, you can see what the recommended ages are. If you have any doubt about whether or not they would enjoy the excursion, I would opt to enroll them in one of the Kid's clubs that day if they are available on port days or maybe opt for a beach-based snorkel/swim/beach play day with them. Since this is our first cruise, I am not sure how that all works. Someone out there with more experience would probably have some better info about this.

RE: Palo--it is the adult only restaurant 18 years old and up. It is not in the regular dining rotation and requires a reservation and extra charge. They have an Adult only high tea and brunch.

There may be a character tea, but am not sure if that is on our crusie or not. I would look around Disney website and the boards a bit to verify this, or maybe someone here can elaborate for us. There is also a character breakfast one morning and I think we find out what day that is when we get our dining assignments when we get on board. HTH!!!

 

[SandieT]

Regarding your excursion, I wonder if I should leave my kids or take them. Their ages are below. I am concerned bc who says the tour people wanna watch my youngin's while I am in the water and I can hear them scared now - momma a shark is gonna eat you don't jump in, don't leave me - - - blahhh what would you recommend?

Mommavon,
Disney will not let your kids go anywhere near the excursion if they are not old enough, even to just sit and watch. You can leave them in the kids clubs while you are on shore.
They are very strict on ages for excursions. Last time my daughter was 1 week from turning 4, the minimum age for an excursion we wanted to do and they would not budge. I had to go outside of disney and make the reservation directly with the company. The company itself was flexible, however it was only because she was one week away and could participate in the activity.

 

[disneymom13176]

We found it was nice to do at least one excursion without our kids. We did that last time we sailed with Disney and they had a great time in "camp" and we had a great time on shore. We talked about our adventures at dinner and had a great time! I highly recommend it!

 

[disneymom13176]

I'm so excited! I cheated and decided that I could not find the time to make my fish extender so I bought one on-line. It was completely customized. It has all of our names on it and everything! I am really getting pumped up about this! And I counted days-- 67 to go! I really need a Mickey fix and I cannot wait. I'm trying to fit in a business trip to Orlando in early Feb just to tide me over.

 

[disneyfreak1]

I'm so excited! I cheated and decided that I could not find the time to make my fish extender so I bought one on-line. It was completely customized. It has all of our names on it and everything! I am really getting pumped up about this! And I counted days-- 67 to go! I really need a Mickey fix and I cannot wait. I'm trying to fit in a business trip to Orlando in early Feb just to tide me over.

Hey,

I need your FE information....names (first and last), ages of the kids and stateroom number (if you have it).

Pam

 

[disneyfreak1]

Hey,

I need your FE information....names (first and last), ages of the kids and stateroom number (if you have it).

Pam

Oops!!! My bad! Forgive me Amy, I have your info! I was thinking of someone else that hasn't given me their info yet!

 

[mommavon]

Thanks that was excellent advice. So many fo the little Disney trips are 8 and up.

We'll find something fun to do.

Son will be 8 in July and Daughter 5 on the trip...ish.

 

[mommavon]

You bought a fish extender? Don't laugh but what in the world do I need to buy or make. I thought it was something that hung from a lamp outside my door.

 

[mommavon]

Hi mommavon,

Our kiddos are a bit older, so they will be coming with us. If you are booking through Disney, you can see what the recommended ages are. If you have any doubt about whether or not they would enjoy the excursion, I would opt to enroll them in one of the Kid's clubs that day if they are available on port days or maybe opt for a beach-based snorkel/swim/beach play day with them. Since this is our first cruise, I am not sure how that all works. Someone out there with more experience would probably have some better info about this.

RE: Palo--it is the adult only restaurant 18 years old and up. It is not in the regular dining rotation and requires a reservation and extra charge. They have an Adult only high tea and brunch.

There may be a character tea, but am not sure if that is on our crusie or not. I would look around Disney website and the boards a bit to verify this, or maybe someone here can elaborate for us. There is also a character breakfast one morning and I think we find out what day that is when we get our dining assignments when we get on board. HTH!!!

I saw that there was a $10 charge, is there a charge for your dinner too? Maybe there will be a single mom or dad who would like to dine at Palo with MOI?

LOL

 

[disneyfreak1]

You bought a fish extender? Don't laugh but what in the world do I need to buy or make. I thought it was something that hung from a lamp outside my door.

You don't really have to use an "official" fish extender. I have seen photos of gift bags, stockings, etc. that people have used. There are numerous threads with photos of fish extenders and the instructions to make them on these boards or you can find them for sale on ebay.

 

[disneyfreak1]

Here is a good thread regarding fish extenders.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

 

[disneyfreak1]

In order for everyone to have time to get fish extender gifts together, the deadline for joining in on the fun is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th. If you wish to join our exchange, please pm me your names (first and last), age and sex of children and stateroom number.

Also, we will meet in the Promenade Lounge on Deck 3 at 3:00 pm March 28th (embarkation day). We can meet each other and also find out if there are any stateroom # changes we need to make. If you are not participating in the fish extender exchange, you are still welcome to meet us at 3!

Pam