8/10/2008 - Mexican Party Cruise - Who's Here??

[CustardTart]

Yes, same here. Now I have to plan all the other stuff (air, hotel before, hotel after and all my transportation needs). Yikes. The biggest problem is that the best air we can get it into San Diego - and I mean by hundreds of dollars per ticket. We love SD but would rather fly into Orange County. Don't mind not being able to fly into the nightmare that is LAX. So getting TO the port is our only challenge - probably have to take Super Shuttle from a SD hotel since it seems silly to rent a car to drive it up there and then park it for a week. Pick up the rental AFTER the sailing.

Ouch!!! I know it can be - er- tricky!!! We have no choice BUT we managed to get two free Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flights for DH and myself so won't be complaining too much...

We've booked a shuttle from the Doubletree and haven't decided when/where to pick up a hire car yet! OMG I'm so excited it's getting closer...

 

[CustardTart]

Giving us a *bump* as we were on page 3!!!

 

[jd99]

My turn to bump. As I watch the snow beginning outside my window, I have t dream about beaches, palm trees, warm water and cold drinks.

 

[Dizney73]

... maybe I'm the only 1st timer to the DCL... but everyone has a firts time, right! I need to know EVERYTHING!!!! We have been on many other cruiselines but NEVER Disney! What are the biggest differences? What kinds of extra exciting activities are on board? Tell me about the food! Everything... anything! What can you tell me to get super duper excited!!!??? (cabn you tell I have a 2 year old?... she will be 33 months when we cruise!) Please share what you know and all of your favs!

Jami

 

[CustardTart]

... maybe I'm the only 1st timer to the DCL... but everyone has a firts time, right! I need to know EVERYTHING!!!! We have been on many other cruiselines but NEVER Disney! What are the biggest differences? What kinds of extra exciting activities are on board? Tell me about the food! Everything... anything! What can you tell me to get super duper excited!!!??? (cabn you tell I have a 2 year old?... she will be 33 months when we cruise!) Please share what you know and all of your favs!

Jami

Hi Jami! Unfortunately I've only been on DCL cruises so can't really help you on the differences. Plus I don't have small children - my youngest will be 15 when we cruise this summer. All I know is that the experience is (for me and my family) just so special - from the moment the CM announces you onboard to the Pirates' Night fireworks and beyond!! We love the character and decor of the ships - from dining rooms to staterooms... My DH and I take time to visit the spa - we especially enjoy the Couple Choice session in the Spa Villas!!! For us, Palo's is a must-do - brunch and dinner, please! Looking forward to the shows too as last time we were on the Magic, our week was just so hectic we didn't manage to get to a single one!!!

Can't wait to chill on the verandah during the At Sea days and already have a couple of must-do excursions planned...

 

[CustardTart]

Good day all my fellow Mexican Riviera cruisers!!! In a fah-bu-lous mood as we decided this morning to take advantage of the favourable exchange rate and pay off the cruise!!!

 

[Dizney73]

CustardTart,
Wow... there are fireworks???!!!!! Cool! That sounds great!
I am excited about our verandah room for sure! I know that we could have cut some $$$ without one... but we have always doen balconies and "Once you go balcony... you can never go back!"
I see you are staying at the DLH after the cruise. We are staying for 4 nights prior:0)

 

[CustardTart]

CustardTart,
Wow... there are fireworks???!!!!! Cool! That sounds great!
I am excited about our verandah room for sure! I know that we could have cut some $$$ without one... but we have always doen balconies and "Once you go balcony... you can never go back!"
I see you are staying at the DLH after the cruise. We are staying for 4 nights prior:0)

Oh yeah, there are fireworks!!! It's a great little show and all part of the Pirates not in the Caribbean Party! There's a special menu for that evening at the dinner and lots of folk dress up in piratical costumes - so that's something you might want to think about...

We're in our fave room for this cruise and are delighted to have a large verandah.

We've been to Disneyland before (NYE 2005) but stayed in the awesome Grand Californian Hotel. I, however, am a purist and needed to stay at DLH - the fact that we've been able to book a room using DVC points has been a bonus so...

 

[CustardTart]

Anyone else out there wanna join us???

There are howling winds and torrential rain here in the UK at the moment so I'm dreaming of relaxing on the deck of the Magic with the Mexican sun warming my face as I sip a Bahama Mama and read a lurid crime novel - bliss...

 

[m&p'smom]

CustardTart,
Wow... there are fireworks???!!!!! Cool! That sounds great!
I am excited about our verandah room for sure! I know that we could have cut some $$$ without one... but we have always doen balconies and "Once you go balcony... you can never go back!"
I see you are staying at the DLH after the cruise. We are staying for 4 nights prior:0)

I see where you are staying 4 nights prior...I am guessing you booked that seperately...I called and tried to add a 4th night to my stay and they told me that I could not...That since I booked it together that 3 nights was the most I could stay! Now, You can imagine I told them that this was the stupidest thing I had heard! Disney did not want more of my money??? they are turning down extra days...She told me that if I wanted to do that I would have to book seperately and then I would have to book my transfers...This is crazzzzzzy! Someone at Disney is not thinking clearly! ​

 

[CustardTart]

Hi Paula!

Afternoon everyone else!!!

I was just thinking about the cruise and it occurred to me that, in a couple of short months, the 90 day reservation window will open up!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Has everyone seen the post about the dining rotations for the Mexican Riviera cruises? Instead of the standard repeating rotations (APLAPLA; PLAPLAP; LAPLAPL) it seems we are to have the more unusual APPLAPL; PLLAPLA; LAAPLAP configurations!!!

Looking forward a break from the norm...

For my own benefit, here's a little recap of the itinerary...

Sunday - Depart.
Monday - At Sea. Formal Night...
Tuesday - Cabo San Lucas.
Wednesday - Mazatlán.
Thursday - Puerto Vallarta. Pirate Night...
Friday - At Sea. Semi-Formal Night...
Saturday - At Sea.
Sunday - Disembark...

I'm thinking Palo's for Day 4 and Palo Brunch for the final At Sea morning...

CAN"T WAIT!!!

 

[CustardTart]

*bump*...

 

[CustardTart]

...a very Happy Easter!!!

 

[jd99]

Ok this cruise is nearly sold out. Where is everybody?????

And this cruise is coming up fast. We currently have three cruises planned and the other 2 boards are chattering like crazy. Yet this is the first cruise we are taking. Let's get the chatter up here!

 

[jd99]

I see where you are staying 4 nights prior...I am guessing you booked that seperately...I called and tried to add a 4th night to my stay and they told me that I could not...That since I booked it together that 3 nights was the most I could stay! Now, You can imagine I told them that this was the stupidest thing I had heard! Disney did not want more of my money??? they are turning down extra days...She told me that if I wanted to do that I would have to book seperately and then I would have to book my transfers...This is crazzzzzzy! Someone at Disney is not thinking clearly! ​

Wow that sure is crazy. We are still working out our plans. We think we are just going to stay in Huntington Beach (at the Hyatt) after the cruise and then hit Disneyland a couple of times during the stay. The Hyatt is running a special, in fact, where they are throwing in a 2 or 3 day hopper (I can't remember just now) if you book with them. Really wanted to stay onsite this time but I think being at the beach is winning out. We will likely just stay near the port or in OC near the airport before the cruise. Does anyone know how DCL is doing transfers for this cruise? From what airports?

 

[CustardTart]

Ok this cruise is nearly sold out. Where is everybody?????

And this cruise is coming up fast. We currently have three cruises planned and the other 2 boards are chattering like crazy. Yet this is the first cruise we are taking. Let's get the chatter up here!

I know, I know!!! We also have 3 cruises planned - our first will be in May and that thread also got off to a slow start so I'm hoping that as soon as we get to the final payment stage (in about 6 weeks?) more folk will join in...

 

[m&p'smom]

Hi Everyone! I got my cruise packet in the mail today from dcl I am so excited! This means it is getting closer! I hope some others join in soon....

 

[jd99]

Hi Everyone! I got my cruise packet in the mail today from dcl I am so excited! This means it is getting closer! I hope some others join in soon....

Travel agent actually sent ours last week. Great list of excursions for sure.

 

[m&p'smom]

We will likely just stay near the port or in OC near the airport before the cruise. Does anyone know how DCL is doing transfers for this cruise? From what airports?

Well I called DCL and they told me they were only going to LAX and not any of the other airports...I am still watching airfare and could have gotten a better flight into another airport....