April 12, 2008, 4-12-08, 4/12/08 Eastern Magic

[DisneyMomforLife]

We were on the Magic last year and this excursion was not available. It is new I think. We have it booked. I did read reviews on it and it sounds great. We are just trying to avoid the nude beach in St Maarteen with a 14 yr old DS and a 7 yr old DS.

here is a map of St. Maarten. The clothing optional beaches are in the NORTH, on the French side ...

Also found this blurb on a message board for St. Maarten:

stay on the Dutch side and either go to the beach at Great Bay or maybe go to Divi Little Bay Hotel and swim there.
You will not see nudity or topless sun bathers there or at any beach close to a hotel.
Another possibility is Dawn Beach about 20 minutes away from town . nice beach..eat lunch at Mr. Busby's..


Hope this helps!!

Kat

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

We will be dressing up ... again. LOL

Well, 1/2 of us will be anyways ... here are the pics from our first Pirate Night on the Wonder!!

Here is the bandana that they pass out:

Here is Gabi, Shawn (about as dresses up as he was going to get) and I dressed up:

Here is Gabi:

And finally, Gabi and I:

Kat

 

[Skuba2]

Wow Kat---if you didn't say anything, I would have said you were a cm. Great costumes.

We don't get dressed up for pirate night. We bought the eye patch kit at the shop onboard and the kids used them. We still have the bandanas.

I wouldn't worry about the taxi situation. Any hotel or beach should be able to call you one. Just don't cut anything close. Be back on the ship an hour early or save your shopping for the end of the cruise.

On CC, my younger kids have always loved the camp. They play games. I don't remember having them out on the beach that cruise. My older went and hung out on the wooden structure in the water---the fort?

I think it is funny watching all the ships come and go. You'd think someone just told the captains that there was free beer on the next island. And, if you have never been on a cruise, you should make a point of watching them dock and depart and island. It is fascinating how much control they have.

Deb

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

It's funny you say that ... so many people came up to us asking to take pictures with us ... I was like, "I'm not a cast member!!" LOL They didn't care!!



kat

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Great Pics Kat!!!! What happened to Phil?

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Cindy,

He didn't really dress up ... party pooper. We got him a shirt at the Pirate Museum and here is the only pic of him that night:

 

[KathleenlovesMickey]

Today it was raining again! so I decided that it was time to get out the suitcases and bring out all the things I have been storing for our trip. I have almost everything I need but some shorts and a bathing suit. I am still trying to loose 10 more pounds (of course to gain that back on the ship). Anyone else crazy as me?
Kathleen

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

We will have to change that this time around

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Cindy - Is Lou dressing up or just wearing a Captain Morgan's tshirt?

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

Help!

I still need answers from anybody who has them about the cooking demos. I'm supposed to be the expert and we are having a family meeting Sunday night where I'm supposed to have the answers!

Do you have to sign up for the demos, or can you just go?
Can you bring a kid along to the demos?

And a non-cooking question -- Do they give you fins with your snorkel equipment on the excursions?

Sorry for repeating these, but I need to maintain my expert status with the fam!

Kathleen, I've been trying to lose 10 since October. AARGH!!!!!! Go for it!

Bev

 

[Skuba2]

Sorry---I just noticed the other questions then saw your repeat.

Last time I went to one, the demonstrations were a first come, first seated kind of thing. I think the ones you have to sign up for is the alcohol tastings---beer tastings, wine tasting,etc. The tea with Wendy is a ticketed event that is free, you just need a ticket. The kitchen tour was a sign up event, but there are several options for it. The bridge tour---if they are still doing them---are also a sign up event.

If you want a definite answer, the place to go are the recent navigators posted on this and other web sites.

I can tell you there is going to be no way for your family to get seat together unless you are all really early or don't care to sit together. With a group like yours, I wonder if they could do a special one for your family. You guys would take the entire audience if you all came.

I hope that is all the questions. I didn't do some of the stuff last cruise, so my information is about 3-4 years old.

Deb

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Kat, Yes Lou will be dressing up!

 

[Fast Pass]

Just stopping by to say Hi!
I can't believe its already Febuary!
Hope everyone is doing well!
What kind of dress are you women wearing for semi-formal night?
I am sick of my little black dress, everytime I look at it I want to hurl. I don't know if I should wear my Easter dress or just wear a dress I wear everyday.


Go Patriots!!!!!(sorry, couldn't resist).

 

[DisneyMomforLife]

Since we are really dressing up for formal night, we will probably just do spring dresses and khaki's for semi-formal.

kat

 

[cindyd1@optonline.ne]

Same here

 

[Megand3779]

Help!



And a non-cooking question -- Do they give you fins with your snorkel equipment on the excursions?

Bev

I'm not sure on the excursions, but I know on Castaway Cay you get the fins, mask, snorkel and vest. Hope this helps a little!

 

[dsnyfangoofy2]

Hi, all,

Thanks for the answers to my questions. We're heading off to the family party / Q&A session, so I may have more later this evening!

BTW -- I'm taking the picture of Kat's gorgeous DD in her pirate costume!! She needs to be seen my all the fam!

Bev

 

[ajeent]

Thanks for the update. Funny you mention braces because my DS is going to the dentist next week and I think he might be sporting braces on the cruise as well. How funny. Familiar with Webster we grew up in Newburgh.
Is your son dreading the cruise? Mine is. He has his mind made up that it is for 7yr olds (like his brother) and he is going to be bored. He is not one to start talking to people. I hope I do not have 14 year old shadow for 7 days.

Actually my guys are looking forward to the cruise. For the 13yo - he thinks it is cool that he will be in a special teen group. I am sure we can find them some fun stuff to do...
So are you bumming about the Patriots? My 10yo is a HUGE Fan and basically cried the last quarter. He is so sad. It breaks my heart - I want to go smack Brady upside the head! LOL

 

[ajeent]

My 13 yr old will have her ipod as well as her nintendo ds.

Everyone is registered online but there isn't a club to register your teen into. You may have to sign them up onboard so they can use the teen space.

Anyone doing the teen excursion on Castaway Cay? I think someone asked that already but I am too lazy this morning to read through. My daughter wants to do it but I understand that sometimes it doesn't go for lack of interest. Maybe with our huge group here, we'll have enough.

It is hard to grasp that it is so close seeing how cold it is out. When we go it should be warm!!! Yeah!!

Deb

I signed my guy up for it - he is looking forward to it. I am sure it will be more fun if they make friends early in the trip and all go together.
One of the reasons I decided on a 7 day was so that the boys could make some friends and have time to enjoy the fun with them.
I am more concerned that the 10yo will not want to go do things on his own, but he still enjoys hanging out with me, so either way, he will have fun.

 

[Skuba2]

I must confess---I rooted for the Giants. I can't believe they pulled it out. We are stuck sort of in the middle here in CT, but on my end we are more for the Giants. The Pats used CT and their tax money to get a better deal with their city---so that left a bad taste in my mouth. They had CT all up in giddy bliss because they said they were moving down to CT. They took it way way too far.

It was a good game though for sure. It is about time a super bowl lives up to the hype.

If I can get back down, I will wear some glittery fun stuff for formal and semi-formal. Although, the long gown and tux will stay home. Too much luggage with 5 of us. We got there last year and almost didn't fit into the van we rented. LOL! You have to really keep in mind when renting a car or hiring a car that you take into account your luggage. We have to rent a limo when we travel because the 5 of us and our luggage just don't fit.

Another luggage hint---bring your suit on the boat with you just in case you don't get your luggage right away. Dinner clothes aren't as important as they use to be because they are more lenient on that night---heck, every night.

Another luggage hint---Spread your clothes out throughout the luggage. Split up swimsuits, underwear and shoes. If you loose a piece of luggage, you don't loose all of one person's clothes.

I booked the jetskis for the first thing in the morning which totally conflicts with the teen excursion. I am bummed. I will have to give my daughter a choice and then I may have to cancel the jet ski.

The good news, I forgot I went out and bought a bunch of spring type outfits last spring. yeah. So, I think I am set. I have to focus on my oldest. Karma came back to bite me---she hates shopping as much as I did as a kid and do now. LOL!

Deb

Deb