6/24 douple dip reunion blues

[SuJo]

Hey everyone,
I have my sisters and their families in town this week and it is a crowded here. I have been telling them about the cruise and the great friends we met.

Lee Anne - Glad to hear that everything turned out OK. Glad to see the is working.

BethA and 1happyfam - I would be up for an Eastern 2008 cruise. We would need to do a mid to late June as well due to schools. We usually get out around the 15th but have gone till the 20th if we have a bad winter.

It would be wonderful to get everyone back together for a reunion cruise. I just put my DVD in from the cruise and we were watching the Pirates Night party. It was neat to see it again and watch Mickey swing down off the stacks. Also the fireworks were fun to see again.

Susan

 

[RCBA]

Hi all! I just found this thread. I am still having post cruise blues. We had a great time, though I'm not sure I would do another 10 day trip w/ a 2 yo.

I'm glad to see all the interest in a '08 Eastern. DH and I have been talking about that since we got back . He was not a big fan of Mexico. I would really like to steal away for a quick 4 day cruise in Jan or Feb., not to mention I want that Castaway Club tote bag....it matches my DCL bag

Lorie - I finally read all of your trip report. I felt better reading the part about the meet before CM. I went up to the buffet that morning looking for the dissers and couldn't find anyone. By the time DH and DS got around and we got off the ship it was raining so we got right back on & waited the rain out on Deck 9 and got some lunch. I let DS swim in the Mickey Pool, and of course he didn't want to get out Once we got him out of the pool we went to the port area around noon the weather was still not looking so hot. After wandering the port and getting hounded to shop DH was ready to go back to the ship so we missed Maj. The cruise director announced a character dance party so we took DS to that and he had a blast.

 

[musicgirl]

Ok-it looks like we have a few lined up for an Eastern mid-late June 2008!!!!!

Jillpie
Musicgirl
Sujo
RCBA

Come on, who else.........

Charla, I felt soooooooo bad about the whole beach thing at CM. I think only 2 disers got all the way to the end beach out of the 10 that said they would probably meet there. Although I know Tinky624 made it down and came back, which was their plan.

The idea was a good,fun one, but really tricky since "little" things kept popping up that changed the plans slightly. I wasn't prepared for just how "pushy" (for lack of a better word), the locals were when it came to where we should plant ourselves on the beach. Then they would get very offended and then I felt bad.

Oh well, lesson learned!!!!

Now if I go on the Eastern, I can do that without even blinking my eyes, because I already know exactly what I want to do!!!

 

[RCBA]

Charla, I felt soooooooo bad about the whole beach thing at CM. I think only 2 disers got all the way to the end beach out of the 10 that said they would probably meet there.

Don't feel bad I (we) saved a lot of $$$ due to the last minute things that cropped up. I had brought several hundred for CM for waverunners and massages and we ended up spending less than $20. Same thing for Cozumel, except we spent under $70 there. I ended up taking our cash down to guest services and putting it on our shipboard acct as I didn't want to carry that much home.

Spill it....what would you do on the Eastern?

 

[musicgirl]

St. Thomas is easy, we would do the Capt. Nautica speed boat ride to snorkel. It was awesome, we all loved swimming with a ton of turtles.

St. Martin, we would probably just go to Great Bay Beach this time depending on if there would be another ship in port. When we went last time in June, the Magic was it and there was no one at the beach!!! This beach is right at the port. You can rent wave runners, there is a trampoline, I'm sure by now they've added an ice berg.

Last time the plan was to go to Dawn Beach to snorkel, come back to eat and clean up a bit, back into town to shop and then stay at Great Bay Beach. Toooooo much!!!

We did go to Dawn Beach, it was absolutely beautiful. The snorkeling was ok, but not enough to make me go back to that beach. We did everything but swim at GBB. We were soooo tired.

We did have fun shopping, we took the water taxi straight into GBB, which is also where you shop. We shopped to the right of that entrance. We had to find the Guavaberry store and have a guavaberry colada. Awesome. I really regret not buying a bottle. This is the only place to buy the liqour.

We didn't have to back track to get back to the water taxi, since there is another pick up at that end of the shopping.

Oh, I'd also do the rainforest this time. With the extra day at sea, I will enjoy it!

 

[musicgirl]

Almost forgot, I would also shop at GGB as well. I didn't want anyone thinking I left that out! Maybe that one is just unwritten!!!

At St. Thomas there is also a shopping area right at the port. We would go in again. If we have enough time, I think I would like to try the tram up to Paradise Point when we get back from the snorkeling.

Other than that, just the regular stuff like Andrew at the teen beach and Teen Wild side and Bill and I spending the entire day at Serenity Bay. If I win the lotto, maybe we'll do the waverunners at CC.

 

[BethA]

I can't believe it's already been a month since the cruise--yes, one month ago we were on the Magic

Hope everyone is enjoying the rest of the summer
Beth

 

[RCBA]

Beth, I was thinking about that last night at work I'm ready to go back!

 

[musicgirl]

Is it time for the next one, pretty please!!!

 

[RCBA]

Sure it is Lorie

What do you all think if the re-surfacing "new ship" rumors?

 

[musicgirl]

New ship rumors have been heard since the Magic was finished.

I would think that DCL would have announced if a new ship was being currently built. This would keep many paying attention. I know they have plans, but hey, I have plans to win the lottery and go on a cruise every year, but that's not gonna happen!

All I want is to hear the schedule for summer 2008. I know that they probably have to hold off on rates, but at least they could do is put the schedule out there. With the Magic gone next summer, I certainly hope they wouldn't leave all the summer cruisers in a lurch by taking the Magic somewhere else again. I would probably have to plan another vacation if they didn't have a 7 night out of Port Canaveral.

To me, the 3/4 nights are not worth it $$ wise. It just seems that the rates were out of proportion compared to what we just paid for a 7 night. Plus you add in the cost of a flight. I guess I'm spoiled!!!

 

[BethA]

Are there new rumors out there?

I read that a new ship would probably be for CA or Europe, depending on how next summer goes.

I hope for 2008 they switch up some of the ports a little for variety. DCL has such a high % of repeat cruisers, they need to change things around more often. We were lucky this time to not have all repeat entertainers on our cruise.

 

[RCBA]

Are there new rumors out there?

I don't think they are new rumors, just the same old ones resurfacing.

Hi,
I just got off the Magic today from a 7 night cruise to Costa Maya and our favorite Spa employee told us that Disney is going to build 2 new ships within 2 years. He said the names should be Disney Wish and Disney Dream. He also said the ships are supposed to be Super Sized being around the size of the Freedom of the Seas.

Our server in Palo told us that Disney was planning on adding a "new baby" to the fleet and the reason that they are doing the Southern Caribbean and European cruises was they were looking to see how those route were. He was on the opening teams for both the Wonder and the Magic and has asked to be on the opening team of the new ship. According to him, the new ship will be named Disney Dream.
Now, don't know if this is true or not. We never even asked him about a new ship he just told us after he was showing us his pin for having been with DCL since it started. He is one of only a handful of the original crew members that are still with DCL.

I won't be holding my breath for a new ship by '08, but I would love to see a DCL ship with a home port in California.

 

[RCBA]

All I want is to hear the schedule for summer 2008.

Me too! I'm a bit of an obsessive planner.

To me, the 3/4 nights are not worth it $$ wise. It just seems that the rates were out of proportion compared to what we just paid for a 7 night. Plus you add in the cost of a flight. I guess I'm spoiled!!!

The 7 night was a little long for us w/ a toddler. We were gone for a total of 10 days. With an older child I think the 7 would be perfect. I pulled some trip prices of the DCL site and here is what I found. I've done this a few times before, see earlier response about my planning issues

7 Night Eastern
Cat 10 – April 28, 2007 2 Adults, 1 kid (age 3) $3567.60 (no transfers, no ins.) 509.65 per night

4 Night Bahamian
Cat 10 – April 29, 2007 2 Adults, 1 kid (age 3) $1973.85 (no transfers, no ins.) 493.46 per night

3 Night Bahamian
Cat 10 – April 26, 2007 2 Adults, 1 kid (age 3) $1603.85 (no transfers, no ins.) 534.61 per night

Of all the dates I've checked previously, the 4 night has always come up slightly cheaper per night. I wouldn't mind to do a 4 night combined with a few nights at WDW. I used up 1/2 of my VC for the year for out cruise, and DH had to get special permission to be gone more than a week (only the 2nd time in 7 years...the first was for our Disneymoon). When we win the lottery we will be cruisin every year with ya

This thread could be bad for me....I just found a Valentines 4 night for $448.46/night

 

[BethA]

We are hoping to try a 4 night--I have always wanted to see the Christmas decorations and hope that some of the CMs we met in June might be on the 4 night on the Magic in Dec. I hope we can swing it financially.

My issue with the 4 night is the airfare for such a short time, but you only live once and soon my college age son might not want to vacation with us, so I want to go now if we can.

Good to see the breakdown, so I can justify it. We are using points to stay at the Beach Club the night before the cruise instead of at the Radisson as we usually do. We will ME to get there and then probably a towncar, since I hope to have less luggage. I know it will seem short, but I am looking forward to it.

 

[RCBA]

Beth, which 4 night in Dec?

On the DCL site the 12/10 cruise has the Cat 12 listed for $200 more than the Cat 10

 

[musicgirl]

Beth, I'm with you about the age of your son. June 2008 Andrew will almost be 18. He wants to go, but it may be one of the last times since we really will need to pay for some college.

When Jill and I were tossing the idea around, she mentioned a young friend with small kids and how she had always wanted to take them to WDW. I think Jill said it was cancer, whatever it was it is terminal and she doesn't have much time. It really made me think because we really don't know how much longer we'll get to do things like this. Live for now, not for old age, who knows if I'll make it there, I know I'll make it now!!!

Charla, thanks for the breakdown. That was really interesting about the 3 day being the least cost effective.

I have noticed lately a lower cat being a higher rate than something above it. I know on ours, cat. 12 was actually higher than cat. 11. Go figure!!!

I feel the same way in regards to the short trips and flights. Although the 4 nights are about the same per night as a 7, I hate to pay $750 for flights for a 4 night. I know that may sound weird and I know I could make the trip longer in other ways, but I am addicted to 7 nights!!!!

Hopefully Charla when you go again (you know, in 6-2008), your little guy will be able to handle all the excitement. It does get easier! By that time, he'll be potty trained!!!! But then again, there could also be another one.......

 

[RCBA]

Hopefully Charla when you go again (you know, in 6-2008), your little guy will be able to handle all the excitement. It does get easier! By that time, he'll be potty trained!!!! But then again, there could also be another one.......

You are welcome for the breakdown. FWIW in all the trips I've looked at the 3 night has always been the highest cost per night.

DS wasn't the one completely worn out, it was DH and I trying to keep up with him! Don't get me wrong, he was tired, but not worn out. He still naps 2x/day which helps. We also did not push him to do everything. Watch that last sentence...there very well could be an extra kiddo in our party

 

[BethA]

On Dec 26 the Magic is doing a 4 night. I noticed this when they gave out the papers about rebooking on the cruise. First they said there were no more spots for kids, but she called me back to say something opened up. I booked it to get the discount and the onboard credit and now am hoping we can go.
I'm waiting for SW to release pices.

 

[musicgirl]

Charla,
Watch that last sentence...there very well could be an extra kiddo in our party

I just said that cause you're young and who knows how many of those little people will turn up at your house!!!

Now, if someone was saying that to me....AHHHHHH!!!!!! I'm knocking on every piece of wood that I can find right now!! We had a gal at school, her oldest was 21 and her youngest just going into the high school.....you guessed it, a little blessing from heaven. She was 42!!!! It was a teacher and her husband is the principal, no embarrassment for their 2 kids who are still in school with them!!!

Yes, 2 year olds have alot of energy! Andrew was on the go from around 4-5 months he was crawling like a maniac and then at 6 months he climbed onto the couch. Yeah, those were the days......

I'm much more rested these days with my almost 16 year old. I'm not sure, but I think this is the calm before the storm....he's learning to drive.