any November 15th eastern 7 ngt cruisers out there?

[nedleycan]

Sink,
I am Linda, DH is Brian, kids are Meghan 6.5yo, Cameron almost 5yo.
We are from the Toronto area and this is our second Disney cruise. You are going to love it!

 

[mkauffman]

Hey all....before I leave for the weekend (girl's weekend), I sent name tags out to Mary & Brian, Lisa & Mike, Kim, Mike & Neida and Sherry & Chuck. If I'm missing anyone, or if anyone new would like, please let me know. I have tried (really I have ) to keep it all straight. My kids are so needy right now!

Let's pray for calm seas on 11/15!

Michelle

 

[nedleycan]

My biggest dilemma right now is timing of hair cuts and waxing (sorry all you guys out there). With 8 weeks to go, I better get my hair cut now, so that I can get it cut again in 8 weeks. Same goes for the waxing. But, I am not really due for hair cut for another couple of weeks, and I usually can wait approx. 10 weeks in between... what to do... what to do! Anyone else having these problems? haha

 

[Jo-Anne]

Linda - I'm with you on the dilema's! I've decided to get haircut about 2 weeks prior to trip so it will look "natural" by time we sail! Also tried leg waxing for first time last week....wanted to know if I could withstand the pain and if the results lasted more than one week! It was very "ouchy", but I'll do it once more just prior to flying out so it will be one less thing to think about on the cruise! As one poster said in another thread..."nothing worse than trying to shave your legs in those small tub/showers and having the shower curtain sticking to your butt!" LOL

 

[lbgraves]

Welcome Sink! Sorry I didn't see your post last night. A bit busy & tired here. I'm Lisa and DH Mike, DD Kaitlyn (3), and DS (5 on cruise) will be going on our first cruise & also our first trip to WDW before.

We have planned for the ladies to meet for high tea on Sunday and for all of us to get together 11-12 Sunday morning at Topsiders, though I have been told that it might be closed when not serving so we may want to make it the promenade lounge. We are definantly a chatty bunch.

 

[JulieGS]

Hi all --

Lisa, I'm so happy that all is well with you and your family, and that Jo will just be getting a good rain. Great news!

Welcome, SINK -- hope to hear more about you soon.

Julie

P.S. Anyone else book their excursions yet?

 

[SINK]

Hi All:

I'm Steve and I'm not a Disneyholic. I just spend most of my vacations at WDW and DCL.

DW is Ashley. We will have our 6 year (turn 6 on 11/28) and 8 year old nieces, along with my uncle and aunt (a total of 6). We will be getting in on a red-eye flight from LAX on 11/15 (cutting it quite short). Hopefully the airline will not lose our luggage. Anyhow, this is our first Eastern on the Magic. We've done the Western earlier this year back in March, and two Wonder cruises last year. We took Celebrity's Century to St. Thomas/St. Marteen back in August.

Looking forward in meeting you all. After the Magic, we will head over to WDW to celebrity Thanksgiving. We will be splitting our stay at OKW and BCV. I was unable to obtain the Grand Villa for our entire stay (imagine, just 6 of us in a three bedroom GV), so we will have to settle for a two bedroom at BCV. We will be meeting up with a family from PA, who we've met on our Western cruise.

By the way, it's pretty dumb to have a call sign as SINK to sail quite frequently (this will be our fourth this year). But, it's a take off of a yuppie term used few years ago, DINK. Double Income and no kids. Unfortunately, DW is still in school, so it's Single income family for the time being. And not sure if and when the first kid might be conceived. Don't have any short term plans of having kids ourselves. Too selfish, since we love to travel.

So for the time being, we just rent the kids from my brother. It's pretty cool to spoil my nieces rotten since it's the uncle's/aunt's (and grandparents) right to do so, and for the mom and dad to clean up.

 

[mcampbell_22]

Sink, just wanted to add my family's "vitals". I am Mary, DH is Brian, DS Conor is almost 7 (11/11) and DD Devon is 5. We live on the south shore of Massachusetts, south of boston but just north of the cape. This is out first Disney Cruise and we are sooo looking forward to it.

Ladies, I too have scheduled my hair appointment for a month prior to sailing. I've also made sure to check the upcoming calendar to determine "monthlies" if you know what I mean! Luckily I'm in the clear! (Sorry SINK!)

 

[lbgraves]

LOL, Mary! I wasn't in the clear so an adjustment was made last month.

 

[Jo-Anne]

Been counting too! In the clear by a few days!

Hi Steve and Ashley et al! Don't think I left our family vitals yet... We have a DD who is just turning 7 next week and a DS who turned 4 last week. Your neices should have lots of playmates. Sounds like you're an experienced cruiser....have the girls gone on cruises in the past? Did they join the clubs? What a wonderful Uncle you are! My sister would love to cruise with us and spoil our kids rotten, but she's a teacher and can't come with us when we go off season. Jo

 

[SINK]

Our nieces sailed with us last year on the Wonder. They didn't participate in the kids club all that much, since it's was a very short cruise (3 nighter). But, when we sailed on the Celebrity's Century Eastern Caribbean in August, they loved the kids club. I'm sure this time around, we would only see them for dinner and the shows.

My wife and I have always done "scouting trips" prior to family outings to fine tune our plans for the subsequent trips. So, back in March this year, it was just the two of us ("Lewis and Clark") exploring the activities and the mysteries of the Magic. We have also made a "scouting trip" to Alaska late May on Celebrity's Mercury and we were roughing it. It's was really cold standing on deck trying to catch any glimps of falling glaciers. But, finally made it back to my friend's very warm veranda to have some hot coffee/chocolate, red wine, cheese and fruit plate, and salmon spread with crackers.

After the 11/15 sailing on the Magic, we will return to WDW for my 10th trip. Our family typically spends Thanksgiving at WDW. But, in 2001/2002, we went for New Years Eve. Initially, we thought it wasn't worth it due to the crowds, but our minds quickly changed after spending NYE on mainstreet in Magic Kindgom. It was fantasic!

 

[SINK]

We haven't booked any excursion yet. Not sure exactly what we wanted to do this time around.

Here's what we've done on our last trip to the Eastern Caribbean.

St. Thomas:

We've rented two midsize cars from Avis across the street from the shopping mall at the port. Our goal was to get to Magan's Bay, it's was an adventure getting there. First we've missed our turn and ended up way passed the airport at St. Thomas university. So, we've made an U-turn and drove through traffic again and finally made it after getting lost few more times. In the process, almost got into couple of accidents. They drive on the other side of street (like the Brits), our nature instint is to stay on the right side of the street. So, when I was making a right hand turn, on two occasions ended up on the righthand side with oncoming traffic honking at me. Oopps.

Anyhow, Magan's Bay Beach was wonderful. Oddly, there were no crowds. After spending a couple of hours, we drove around the island, getting lost in the process again, saw plenty of Igunas.


St. Marteen:

Have two Suzuki jeeps booked through Avis. Got off the ship, walked in serious heat and humidity to the nearest Avis location. Waited 1/2 hour before they opened, and came to find out that our Avis rental location is near the airport. The agent referred us to Reynolds rent a car and offered us the jeeps at $60 per. Caution, don't rent from Reynolds, they are rip-off and their vehicles are in a bad shape. Our tops (the jeep) flew off and we almost had heat stroke with the sun on our heads while we sat in traffic.

Orient beach was fun, but caution to the parents, it's true about the people doing European sun-bathing. Furthermore, since there is a naturist resort nearby, it's extreme exposure. I have pictures and video to prove it.

Overall, our impression of St. Marteen/St. Martin was not favorable. (By the way, we actually saw a kid got hit by oncoming traffic while on our way to Orient beach (it was near the town of Orleans). It was not pretty. The 12/14 year old actually flew off the windshield.

 

[mcampbell_22]

Steve,

You seem like a wealth of information regarding excursions. My kids are very keen (yikes, can't believe I used that word!) on doing the Anguilla Dolphin/Stingray excursion. Have you heard anything about it? It's expensive but it's the only thing they want to do so unless I hear horror stories, we'll most likely go with it.

My kids are still a little on the young site for "sight seeing". They need activity so in St. Thomas we'll do some shopping, the Paradise Point Tram and maybe Coral World on our own.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[SINK]

Some tibbits:

Early seating is at 6PM, however, Damien, the resturant manager told us in March, DCL is thinking about doing a pilot program in the dining hours. They wanted to stagger the early seating guests, starting at 5:30PM, and every 5 to 10 min after. Not sure if they've tried it or not.

Ladies, if you are set in getting high tea ressie, be sure to make that first, before the brunch and dinner. Since tea is free of "$5/$10 charge" it's the first that get's filled. So, when you get there to make your Palo ressies, get your ticket for your dinner/brunch, proceed to the "tea" table to make ressie (apparently, DCL did not pass out a number for tea ressies), then do your dinner and brunch after. We sat there like couple of dummies last time. My wife got up and asked for tea ressie and was informed that we've could of walked up to this tea table to make the ressie.

Suggestion: get one volunteer to make all the ressie for tea (need to have names and stateroom of all the parties). Make sure that the volunteer will get to Port early (and is willing to be the first to wait in line for boarding) at around 11AM (boarding begins anywhere between 12PM to 1PM). Furthermore, the volunteer must proceed immediately to "Rockin' Bar D", no lounging around (this is serious matter, after the ressie process and the kids club check-in, then you are on vacation, prior to that, NO).

By the way, don't be shocked to see people already waiting in Rockin' Bar D when you were the first in line to board. There are people staying onboard doing a back to back, and physically challenged guests (they by pass the standard lines and enter the terminal from the side entrance).

 

[SINK]

Haven't done much research on any water aspects (since I sink like a hammer). Anyhow, here's their website.

http://www.dolphinfantaseas.com/


For St. Thomas, try to make it to Magan's Bay Beach, if your little ones are into beaches. You can negotiate with local "tour guides" to take you there and back.

 

[lbgraves]

LOL! SINK, you are definantly the one to help kick us into gear in time for the cruise. Someone has volunteered to get the tea resie for us who is experienced with the whole thing and we will be getting the updated list of cabins together before then. Luckily some of us have gotten upgrades.

We aren't doing any excursions but will probably get off the ship for a couple hours to walk around & do a bit of shopping in both ports. Hopefully, William will enjoy the clubs & make lots of new friends so he can enjoy himself. We are still holding out for Kaitlyn to be PTd for the cruise but not holding our breath. She will march into the bathroom about once a day & do what she needs to but forgets the rest of the time. I am bribing her with M&Ms and a Generation doll horse when she is completely PTd, along with showing her the video of the club & telling her she can go with her brother if she is PTd.

 

[nedleycan]

I am the one who volunteered to do the reservations for high tea. On our Wonder cruise last year, I got to the line up around 12:45 (reservations were supposed to open at 1:00). I was first in line! 5 minutes later it opened (10 minutes early) and I got the exact night I wanted (of course!)
Then, I ran like crazy to the spa, and got there at 12:55. The doors opened right away, and I was first in line too! Yeah for me!
I plan on doing the same thing, except maybe getting there a little earlier (since I want to make dinner, brunch and high tea, I want to make sure I am there on time).
I will e-mail everyone as the time gets closer to confirm who is coming and what your cabin numbers and full names are.
We are still planning on renting a car in St. Thomas and doing Magen's bay and Coral World. We have been to St. Thomas a few times, but have never gone to these places. There are lots of cars to rent, so we are not booking ahead (plus, there are tons of taxis... just in case)! My husband lived in South Africa (and area) for a couple of years, so is used to driving on the "wrong side". He actually enjoys it!
In St. Maarten we are going to head to the beach (right at the docks) and sip cocktails while the kids play. We really like this beach. Lots of action and fun people (at least there was last time we were there).
Note to women: I was figure out the calendar before booking trips... no problem here!

 

[lbgraves]

LOL! That's how we decided when our wedding date would be. I cannot deal with my ILs with PMS. LOL! We had to book based on other things this trip & it ends up working out since we are getting back the day of BIL's wedding. I just saw our counter!!! We leave for FL in 51 days!!! 55 days until we step abord the Magic!!!

I'm glad that we are going thru this mess now and not in November. Mike seems to be doing better, I am almost there but not really allowed to drag & recover, and William's fever went back to 104 this afternoon. He has a bad cough this time too. The doctor Mike saw said that the virus could have a cough/sore throat too so we are going to ride this out with medicine for now & hope that it goes away in another 24 hours.

 

[nedleycan]

Lisa,
That is terrible with so many of you sick. I have allergies (I think) for the past 2 weeks. Finally I am feeling better. It is horrible being sick!

Hey guys... I have other news. I have wanted to lose a few pounds before the cruise, and I have done it! My husband and I have been on a modified high protein, no carbs, no sugar diet for the past 3 weeks. He has lost 8 pounds and I have lost probably 5 pounds (I am not sure, cause I didn't weight myself first). But, my clothes all feel too big for me... darn, need to go shopping! We both are fine as we are, but feel that we gained a couple pounds over the past year or so, and wanted to get back to our "happy weight" before the cruise. This diet is really working great! Now that I feel better, I will start working out again (couldn't work out the past 1.5 weeks, because my sinuses were killing me). Anyway, I am so happy that I wanted to share it with you guys!

 

[lbgraves]

Congrats on the weight loss!!! I have wanted to work out but the kids kept me from doing that this summer. Now with everything this year since school started, I haven't exactly had a chance either. I really want to firm up the loose skin. I'm not going to let it stop me from having fun on the cruise though.