Seeing as the cruise is getting closer and closer and closer
I think it is time to
get going on planning !!!
(1) We are driving
to Port Canaveral after spending a week at Myrtle Beach
. What time should we try to get to the port to avoid the crowds ?
(2) Due to booking a little late, we have late dining. Do you think that would be a problem with twin 7 year-olds ? In regards to the shows and activities at the kids club ? Can I get that changed at the port ?
(3) Can we request a dining rotation and if so what would be the best ? Bear in mind we want to do Palo supper and brunch.
(4) What is the difference between Formal and Semi-formal ? Do my 3 boys and I require suits ? It would be
to get my teenager to wear a tie and jacket !!
(5) We are in cabin 8088 ( cat.4) is it a good location ? What about noise ?
(6) Trying to figure out how much $$$ to bring. What do I require cash for that I cannot charge to my account ?
(7) Considering that we will spending 7 days together at the beach prior to the cruise
and considering that my twins just loved the kids club on our last cruise (NCL), me and the misses would love some us time and some nice meals without the disruptions twins offer..does Disney do a good job of feeding the kids in the clubs ? Or should we feed them first and bring them to the clubs ?
(8) Considering all there is to do ( meals , shows, character signings, pools, sunning, movies, bars / clubs, excursions ) I don't think there are enough hours in a day. If I have to eliminate something, what would you suggest ? (except meals
)
(9) Will our standard luggage fit under the beds ?
(10) Can we bring drinks on-board such as water, juices, soft drinks, wine
?
(11) Palo, when is a good day for the supper and brunch ?
Thanks for all your help !!
(1) We are driving
to Port Canaveral after spending a week at Myrtle Beach
. What time should we try to get to the port to avoid the crowds ?
Depends if you want to get on early or avoid the crowds, people arrive early at port opening time of 10am to get a low boarding card, start the cruise as quickly as possible, snag last minute Palo bookings and change dinner time from late to early. If you wish to do this aim for 10am. If you do not want to do that after 1pm is a good time to avoid crowds, the terminal is at its busiest between 10.30am and 11.45am with
DCL buses coming in 12.30 pm to 1.30pm.
(2) Due to booking a little late, we have late dining. Do you think that would be a problem with twin 7 year-olds ? In regards to the shows and activities at the kids club ? Can I get that changed at the port ?
IMHO it is late for any kid below a teenager, kids like to eat early evening, so they will hit the snack places on deck 9 early evening eat junk food and then not eat at dinner and may get ratty. You will have them want to stay at the pool and not go to the show. Late dinner ends up to 10pm, and that food lays on their stomach, it also will clash with the start of pirates deck party, at 9.45pm unless you rush your meal. As above you can get to the port at 10am and have a good chance of changing but ask DCL or your TA now to wait-list
(3) Can we request a dining rotation and if so what would be the best ? Bear in mind we want to do Palo supper and brunch.
You can request but it is not guaranteed, the rotation is down to your preferences, many here have requested PLA as that hits Lumière's on formal night and Parrot cay for Pirate night. Answer Palo later.
(4) What is the difference between Formal and Semi-formal ? Do my 3 boys and I require suits ? It would be
to get my teenager to wear a tie and jacket !!
Young boys can just be smart, nice trousers and shirt, no jacket unless you want them to have it on, nice Disney tie if you have one for fun. Formal is the main dress up night, lots of Tuxes but a lot of business suites, Ladies like to dress up a lot. Semi is more Jacket and tie, not suit, can do business suit more relaxed
(5) We are in cabin 8088 ( cat.4) is it a good location ? What about noise ?
Very good location, firstly there are NO bad Cat 4's they all are nice!
Do not believe any post saying they have noise, have had six Cat 4s over 60 days on the Magic and No noise, bar Pirate night till 11pm.
Location is aft, under topsiders so again the noise is not an issue, Topsiders opens about 7am or 7.30am and also at night is open some nights 6.30pm to 8.30pm, people there wouldn't make a noise anyway outside that time no one above you. Its great for a quick drink at the soda station, or bring breakfast back to your verandah.
Aft Elevators are close for access to Parrot Cay and Animators and shutters
(6) Trying to figure out how much $$$ to bring. What do I require cash for that I cannot charge to my account ?
Cash is how long is a bit of string what will you spend it on, most of the ship is charge only by card, no cash required bar Laundry, tips for room service, but can charge, postage stamps at
Castaway cay, off ship purchases at ports of call, bar Castaway. See more below
(7) Considering that we will spending 7 days together at the beach prior to the cruise
and considering that my twins just loved the kids club on our last cruise (NCL), me and the misses would love some us time and some nice meals without the disruptions twins offer..does Disney do a good job of feeding the kids in the clubs ? Or should we feed them first and bring them to the clubs ?
Generally YES lunch is good with the kids clubs they take them to lunch often at Animators and they choose from a menu its OK if your kids will eat anything, IE not picky, they might have an issue, but my son refused the menu and they asked him what he wanted he said Spagbol, and they made him the best Bolognas hes had. Dinner i suggest with the family its buffet at Topsiders.
(8) Considering all there is to do ( meals , shows, character signings, pools, sunning, movies, bars / clubs, excursions ) I don't think there are enough hours in a day. If I have to eliminate something, what would you suggest ? (except meals
)
Do not sleep!!!!
Its up to you, look at navigators now for Eastern or our cruise, and decide what you like, also when you get the navigator each night for the next day, read it then, get different color highlighter pens for each person and highlight what you want to do, Shows are a must films are nice but you can catch up onshore if you miss
(9) Will our standard luggage fit under the beds ?
Small ones do, large hard case ones do not. Cat 4 has space and you can store near the verandah next to steamer trunk
(10) Can we bring drinks on board such as water, juices, soft drinks, wine
?
Yes in carry on, not opened do not open or put in luggage for the porters
Carry on
Responses from DCL say on food and drink.
Please be aware that any fragile items and beverages
must be hand-carried on board in a day bag and/or carry-on, which cannot
exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep.
It must be secure and unopened and be able to fit through the port x-ray scanner.
(11) Palo, when is a good day for the supper and brunch ?
Brunch is on sea days only Sun Mon and Thur any are good if you get a slot, Dinner each night, avoid first and last nights, and up to you maybe pirate night, that only leaves a few nights say Thursday is my preference.
Whats extra
I have this full list saved....
• TIPS Sever, Assistant Server, head server, Stateroom host.
• SHORE Trips
• Alcohol anywhere
• SPA Treatments
• Bars, all drinks inc Soft drinks+tip
• Palo Meals $15pp Dinner Brunch $5pp Afternoon tea, (Add alcohol bar first Brunch drink)
• SPECIAL Drinks in restaurants Example Smoothies
• Shop purchases.
• Bingo
• Auctions
• Photos
• Soft Drinks through Room Service
• Pre-Packaged Snacks (candy, popcorn, etc.) at the theaters & through Room Service
• Cove Cafe Coffee/beverages
• Laundry -DCL Service & Self-Serve options
transfers to and from the port /Parking at port $15 a day.
•bottled beverages like water, beer, or soda
•PC:gratuities for your porter
•gratuity for room service deliveries
•arcade games
•services for Flounder's Reef (daycare) at $6/hr for children that aren't old enough for the kids club
•internet connections
Soft drinks are free in the restaurants, Topsiders /beach blanket, and on deck 9 Soda station.
so, I run during my lunch hour at work. And now that I'm running, Tess wants to go with me. We're running the Freihofers Run For Women 5K in Albany in late May - it's a race for only women and girls and there are usually about 3000 participants. I won't say it will be "fun" but we're looking forward to actually finishing it!! 
) but it has gotten me back in the mind frame to not eat out of boredom, etc.
- actually - it pains me to even type that! I will NOT be a good empty nester! 
