A MAGICal trip to Key West and the Western Caribbean March 29/15

[dizneeat]

Linet, I am going to send you a PM.

 

[Annedoodle]

What a great idea! Did you get any great ideas? Please share

 

[linetbo]

Candies, calling cards, magazines, something from your country.

 

[Jerzee73]

Hello all! My hubby and I will be joining the cruise. This will be his third DCL cruise (maybe fourth?) but my first. I have sailed twice on Carnival before though (although I understand there is no comparison).

This will be our honeymoon cruise - even though we will have been married for over a year. We just take our time getting to things! (It took us 24 years - dating three different times - to get married.)

My son (10) will not be with us on this trip but he very much wants to go on a cruise so I'm sure there will be another in the near future.

At the moment, we are both waiting on our passports to be expedited. His has been received and is in process. Mine? Well... mine was supposed to be delivered to the Passport Agency by noon on Thursday but it's still not there. I know I can use my certified birth certificate but I would feel much more comfortable with my passport in my hand. I'm stressing!

I would normally want to be past of the FE group now that I know about it but I think at this point, I have too many moving parts as it is so that will have to wait for next time.

We're located right near the heart of the magic in Orlando.
We're looking forward to some us time - no work, no kids, no electronics! Ahhhh!

We know our cabin number but haven't received our cruise documents yet.

I'm sure I'm going to have a lot of questions as I need to learn a lot ASAP!

1. I've seen people say they have downloaded the Navigator app before arriving. When on the ship they 1) put their phone into airplane mode and then 2) turn wireless back on - and from there were able to use the Navigator app for texting each other if needed. Does this sound right/work? I had thought that airplane mode blocked all of that but I just tried it on my phone and while putting the phone into airplane mode turned wireless off (as expected), airplane mode stayed on when I turned the wireless back on. Neither of us wants to end up with horrible charges to our mobile phone bills but I would feel much more comfortable with a way to reach out to him if we are in two different places.

2. We are not going to do any shore excursions in Key West but are considering Grand Cayman and/or Cozumel. I understand the reasoning for many wanting to book through DCL for them, but I would like to see what other options are out there. Suggestions on where to look?

3. Entertainment - I see that the Broadway style shows happen twice - once during each dining period. What I'm wondering about is more later evening entertainment. We have the second seating for dinner and would like to see some sort of entertainment after dinner. Does this exist? Just going and sitting in a bar isn't what I had in mind (although we may do that too).

I think that's all for now! Just over three weeks away!

Wondering if anybody is doing the same excursions as my daughter & I?
Grand Cayman - going on Captain Marvin's 3 stop snorkel trip, which includes Stingray Beach. This is not a DCL tour, but I've read numerous reviews, including on these boards, raving about their trips.
Cozumel- doing the Playa Mia (hope I got the name right) with DCL. MY 8 year old daughter picked this. Beach, pool, water trampolines & so forth, drinks included, food as well (although many have said the food is mediocre). Looks very touristy, but have to make my DD happy.
Key West- no excursion planned, but if my daughter is busy in the clubs with new found friends, I may visit a couple watering holes for Happy Hour, that a friend who has a place in KW has recommended. Anyone want to join me, let me know. Is getting off the boat without your child a no-no? I'd be 5-10 minutes away. Wouldn't leave her alone at home, but understand the clubs are safe & reliable.
BTW, for those of you with 8 or 9 year old DDs, we have 5 girls from this board & in this age group PMing 1 another. Think it's nice that some of the girls develop some repoire prior to getting on board. If you'd like your DD to join the group & hopefully start a friendship, where they can play in the pools & kids' club, just let me know. Think the more, the merrier applies, as 1 parent told me.

 

[FLpixie]

Was just looking at the list in the first post and don't see my name on there. Is that list still being updated? (The cruiser list - not the FE lists)

 

[FLpixie]

Hello all! My hubby and I will be joining the cruise. This will be his third DCL cruise (maybe fourth?) but my first. I have sailed twice on Carnival before though (although I understand there is no comparison).

This will be our honeymoon cruise - even though we will have been married for over a year. We just take our time getting to things! (It took us 24 years - dating three different times - to get married.)

My son (10) will not be with us on this trip but he very much wants to go on a cruise so I'm sure there will be another in the near future.

At the moment, we are both waiting on our passports to be expedited. His has been received and is in process. Mine? Well... mine was supposed to be delivered to the Passport Agency by noon on Thursday but it's still not there. I know I can use my certified birth certificate but I would feel much more comfortable with my passport in my hand. I'm stressing!

I would normally want to be past of the FE group now that I know about it but I think at this point, I have too many moving parts as it is so that will have to wait for next time.

We're located right near the heart of the magic in Orlando.
We're looking forward to some us time - no work, no kids, no electronics! Ahhhh!

We know our cabin number but haven't received our cruise documents yet.

I'm sure I'm going to have a lot of questions as I need to learn a lot ASAP!

1. I've seen people say they have downloaded the Navigator app before arriving. When on the ship they 1) put their phone into airplane mode and then 2) turn wireless back on - and from there were able to use the Navigator app for texting each other if needed. Does this sound right/work? I had thought that airplane mode blocked all of that but I just tried it on my phone and while putting the phone into airplane mode turned wireless off (as expected), airplane mode stayed on when I turned the wireless back on. Neither of us wants to end up with horrible charges to our mobile phone bills but I would feel much more comfortable with a way to reach out to him if we are in two different places.

2. We are not going to do any shore excursions in Key West but are considering Grand Cayman and/or Cozumel. I understand the reasoning for many wanting to book through DCL for them, but I would like to see what other options are out there. Suggestions on where to look?

3. Entertainment - I see that the Broadway style shows happen twice - once during each dining period. What I'm wondering about is more later evening entertainment. We have the second seating for dinner and would like to see some sort of entertainment after dinner. Does this exist? Just going and sitting in a bar isn't what I had in mind (although we may do that too).

I think that's all for now! Just over three weeks away!

My "overnight" package was finally delivered to the Passport Agency after three days. Just another thing to do before we leave is deal with getting reimbursed for the postage. However, at least I now know it was received. Hooray! The thought of my package being lost was quite frightening.

We are in cabin 6600. I thought I saw somewhere that there are room reports? I was looking through trip reports and Navigators last night (thanks for that tip!)

 

[FLpixie]

In Grand Cayman we have used Native Way and taken their Rays, Reef and Rum Point tour two different times and loved it. They are great and very good about getting you back in plenty of time.
In Cozumel you can easily take a taxi and go to Paradise Beach, Chankanab, etc on your own. We have done both of those and loved them both.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out!

Hubby would like to see the ruins as he has never been there before.

 

[linetbo]

No beach excursions for us.

Was just looking at the list in the first post and don't see my name on there. Is that list still being updated? (The cruiser list - not the FE lists)

http://www.magicaldisneytrips.com/March2015/felistmar29

 

[FLpixie]

No beach excursions for us.

http://www.magicaldisneytrips.com/March2015/felistmar29

Yes, I was asking about the cruiser list - not the FE list.

Cruisers so far:
disneyfanatic27
Amydotron
Joel 67
kmarkners
Monkey28
SK5
TeamGregory
UMTerp
GoPUAngie
Allyse
kittie10601
simbasmom2
kittie10601
TeeVeeTD
buzzsmom
browerjs/kbcreek
linetbo
lisah0711
RllngRckBrw
Dizneeat​

 

[Allyse]

Where are you from in the Chicago area?

We also live in the Chicago area. Specifically, La Grange Park. Where are you at?

 

[Cpt Cman]

We also live in the Chicago area. Specifically, La Grange Park. Where are you at?

We are also in the Chicagoish area. Down south in Wilmington.

 

[terkov]

HI!! So odd request here...my dear friend is taking her family on a disney cruise...I sold them on it as we love it so much! She has a child with special needs and loves disney, so this will be a big deal/dream come true for him! We always do FE when we go and would love to sign her up for it... I would help with everything (and trust me your gifts would be frantastc! ) am I am too late to sign her up? Family of 5. THANKS!!! PS I would be so greatful and it really would make her little son so happy!
2 adults, 3 boys twins age 6 and one age 8.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!

 

[dizneeat]

HI!! So odd request here...my dear friend is taking her family on a disney cruise...I sold them on it as we love it so much! She has a child with special needs and loves disney, so this will be a big deal/dream come true for him! We always do FE when we go and would love to sign her up for it... I would help with everything (and trust me your gifts would be frantastc! ) am I am too late to sign her up? Family of 5. THANKS!!! PS I would be so greatful and it really would make her little son so happy!
2 adults, 3 boys twins age 6 and one age 8.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!

The FE is still open until midnight EST. If you want to sign your friends up I need the necessary information (check first post) until then.

 

[dizneeat]

Question for DAY 2 is now closed! Thanks to all who have already been playing. You don't have to play every day, but the more often you play, the better your chances of winning.

Question TWO

Question 2
for

In the Atrium of every DCL ship you find a bronze character statue.
Which character can you find on which ship?

Disney Magic - Helmsman Mickey
Disney Wonder - Ariel
Disney Dream - Admiral Donald
Disney Fantasy - Mademoiselle Minnie

(Names of characters are all you need for the points!!!)
​

 

[dizneeat]

Question THREE

How to play:

Every day I will post a question here, over the next 19 days. Please PM your answer - do NOT answer in a post!!!!
I will keep a spreadsheet and keep track of the points you earn. There will be a small token for the winner (and maybe the runners up as well), once we get on the ship.

So, do you wanna play?

Let's go .......

Question 3
for

Two part question: What is the name of Disney's private island?
What was the name of the island before Disney bought it?

Good luck!

Next question will be posted tomorrow.​

 

[terkov]

yay! Let me know if you need more info! 5 in the cabin mom Jenny dad Bill and 3 boys
Brady age 6
Ben age 6
Dylan age 8
cabin 8538

thanks!!!! Will the final list be posted this week? Thanks again!!

 

[dizneeat]

yay! Let me know if you need more info! 5 in the cabin mom Jenny dad Bill and 3 boys
Brady age 6
Ben age 6
Dylan age 8
cabin 8538

thanks!!!! Will the final list be posted this week? Thanks again!!

Perfect! I will put them on the list later tonight.
Final list should be up by tomorrow - decklist will be done when I have all the stateroom numbers.

 

[Annedoodle]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check it out!

Hubby would like to see the ruins as he has never been there before.

We are going to see the ruins in Cozumel (the shorter tour not the all day one). Looks fun!

 

[linetbo]

We are going to see the ruins in Cozumel (the shorter tour not the all day one). Looks fun!

We are going to do Cozumel highlights, ruins and discover Mexico with disney. And then some shopping and tacos!

 

[katmoran77]

We also live in the Chicago area. Specifically, La Grange Park. Where are you at?

We are in Brookfield. My 6 year old is in Kindergarten at Brookpark. Small world!