April 13, 2013 - Western Caribbean Fantasy Cruise

[Calfan]

casinochic!

I've driven in the past to fly out of different airports. We got decent (well, decent for this year!) airfare out Boston on JetBlue this time, but I flew out BDL last 2 trips.

Calfan- love the design milliepie does a great job! I'm leaning towards the globe too. I'm thinking the men will wish it was Mickey instead of Minnie. I don't have a DH that would balk at that. Just 3 teenage DS's who will wear what I layout for them. Most of the time, ie: for my oldest the shirt itself would have to be black. Black in Florida! Oh, yes he does!

I think Millipie used Madam Minnie in her design to tie to the atrium statue on the Fantasy. If others are concerned that the men/boys won't want to wear shirts with Minnie on them, I can see if she will do a male version with Mickey instead of Minnie.

 

[Dodieauglis]

Both designs are great!! I personally like the on w/the ship...if I had to choose.

Eric

Milliepie was really quick with the design request. Here are two possible designs, both of which I think are great. I am having trouble deciding which I would like better for the t-shirts. I think I am leaning toward the one with the Mickey globe, but I like the ship too! Again, I am completely open to other suggestions. As well, Milliepie is willing to do something else like one of her life preserver designs if folks would like that better. What do you all think?

 

[Chwirl]

Hi Everyone,

I signed up on Facebook but thought I would join the fun here on the Disboard thread too. This will be our third Disney cruise (4th if you count our Dream back to back cruise last Sept).

We are from Mass. (west of Boston) It will be me, DH and my son (8).

We have airfare booked out of Manchester NH. through SW and still waiting for the schedule to open up to book the return.

We are flying in on Tuesday before the cruise and staying at Bonnet Creek (1st time). We will probably do parks and maybe Legoland before we cruise on Saturday.

Looking forward to getting to know you all and meeting in April.

Cheryl

 

[heidibilotti]

Milliepie was really quick with the design request. Here are two possible designs, both of which I think are great. I am having trouble deciding which I would like better for the t-shirts. I think I am leaning toward the one with the Mickey globe, but I like the ship too! Again, I am completely open to other suggestions. As well, Milliepie is willing to do something else like one of her life preserver designs if folks would like that better. What do you all think?

Love them both let us know which one you are going with I am up for custom t-shirts. if you could email me the graphic once decided I would appreciate it. HeidiBilotti@sbcglobal.net.

 

[Calfan]

Love them both let us know which one you are going with I am up for custom t-shirts. if you could email me the graphic once decided I would appreciate it. HeidiBilotti@sbcglobal.net.

Will do. Folks seem to be leaning toward the one with the globe, but we will see if that continues to be the case as additional responses come in.

 

[mdurette]

How about water temps at Castaway Cay?

We have gone this same week in April the past 2 years. In 2011 the weather was warm and the temps were perfect for swimming. In 2012 the weather was cool and rainy and the water temps were too cold even for my 5 year old and she normally doesn't mind cold water normally. But, we still had a great day exploring the island and playing games.

 

[mdurette]

We're on the list, but want to clarify what we're signing up for. (Our first time cruising, and hence first time on DCL.)

How much do people generally spend (time, materials costs) on FE gifts for this size exchange?

Do participants do FE gifts per person, per cabin, or somewhere in between?

We have participated twice in FEs and the others are correct. There is no right or wrong. Some people give to the cabin - some to all in the cabin - some to just the kids. Homemade, dollar store, disney store. All acceptable.

 

[JeanJoe]

Great idea! Our family is totally interested.

Both my wife and I prefer the one with the ship -- the color values seem to match better. But both are fine.

(On the other hand, they are so similar that perhaps people could just choose the one they like? We'll still all "match" pretty much)

Joe

Edited to add: kids like the ship better too

Milliepie was really quick with the design request. Here are two possible designs, both of which I think are great. I am having trouble deciding which I would like better for the t-shirts. I think I am leaning toward the one with the Mickey globe, but I like the ship too! Again, I am completely open to other suggestions. As well, Milliepie is willing to do something else like one of her life preserver designs if folks would like that better. What do you all think?

 

[Calfan]

Great idea! Our family is totally interested.

Both my wife and I prefer the one with the ship -- the color values seem to match better. But both are fine.

(On the other hand, they are so similar that perhaps people could just choose the one they like? We'll still all "match" pretty much)

Joe

Edited to add: kids like the ship better too

I'm good with your suggestion for people to just choose whichever of the two deisgns they prefer. I totally agree that they are similar enough that it will be clear we are all part of the same group.

 

[whamma]

For those that are still waiting to book airfare--Frontier's bookings are open through mid-May now. I need to book our trip home from MCO. I'm going to wait to see what happens with Air Tran and Southwest. There is a direct flight home on Sunday afternoon on Frontier but I think we'll want to be home on Saturday and have a day to recover before going back to work/school on Monday. Hope SW opens up soon--right now their website says "On October 22, 2012, we will open our schedule for sale through May 31, 2013. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently." Maybe since Frontier is booking, they will move up their dates too.

 

[pershing]

For those that are still waiting to book airfare--Frontier's bookings are open through mid-May now. I need to book our trip home from MCO. I'm going to wait to see what happens with Air Tran and Southwest. There is a direct flight home on Sunday afternoon on Frontier but I think we'll want to be home on Saturday and have a day to recover before going back to work/school on Monday. Hope SW opens up soon--right now their website says "On October 22, 2012, we will open our schedule for sale through May 31, 2013. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently." Maybe since Frontier is booking, they will move up their dates too.

We don't have Frontier in New England. I was curious, so I tried to book out of La Guardia or Trenton and both were discontinuing service to Orlando as of January.

However, they do cover alot of the rest of the US. I might play around with connections in the future with them if airfare continues to be this bad in April.

2 years ago we had 3 take-offs and landings between Hartford and Orlando that was $75 per person. My kids were appalled, but hey I got us there!

Is Frontier more like JetBlue or Southwest? Do they charge for luggage or special seating? Do they release their dates 6 months ahead? Are they considered a good Airline? I'm really curious.

chwhirl!

Thanks for checking in here. I'm not much of a facebook person. I've been trying though because of this thread. I see how you can chat more in a daily check-in kinda of way on facebook, but I love how you can go back on the disboard cruise thread and refer to something that's been said earlier. I've tried to find previous comments on facebook and it's hard for me to navigate. Plus the difference between actual names and usernames leaves me in the dust wondering who is who.

 

[whamma]

Is Frontier more like JetBlue or Southwest? Do they charge for luggage or special seating? Do they release their dates 6 months ahead? Are they considered a good Airline? I'm really curious.

Yes, I'd call them one of the "lower frills" airlines--although a couple of the biggies (United and American) have had a pretty rough week! We have flown them before and liked it. Frontier has three "levels" of price. At the bottom price you have to pay extra for reserved seating and luggage. At the middle price those things are included--and the prices are reasonable. They don't usually release dates until about 6 months out. Where I live JetBlue doesn't fly direct (I always want to fly direct) to Orlando so our airline of choice is AirTran (which is now owned by Southwest) and we've also flown Allegiant (but their prices have gotten ridiculous--they charge for carrying just about anything on!) We flew Southwest for the first time this year--it was okay but I really don't like not being able to reserve my seat ahead of time. My kids are getting older now (15 and 10) but we still all want to sit together and I don't need the extra stress of choosing my seat when I get to the airport. I just want to walk on the plane and KNOW where I am sitting.

 

[pershing]

Yes, I'd call them one of the "lower frills" airlines--although a couple of the biggies (United and American) have had a pretty rough week! We have flown them before and liked it. Frontier has three "levels" of price. At the bottom price you have to pay extra for reserved seating and luggage. At the middle price those things are included--and the prices are reasonable. They don't usually release dates until about 6 months out. Where I live JetBlue doesn't fly direct (I always want to fly direct) to Orlando so our airline of choice is AirTran (which is now owned by Southwest) and we've also flown Allegiant (but their prices have gotten ridiculous--they charge for carrying just about anything on!) We flew Southwest for the first time this year--it was okay but I really don't like not being able to reserve my seat ahead of time. My kids are getting older now (15 and 10) but we still all want to sit together and I don't need the extra stress of choosing my seat when I get to the airport. I just want to walk on the plane and KNOW where I am sitting.

Great to know that if I'm looking for connecting flights, I can consider Frontier. THanks.

Yes, United, American and I would even add Delta to that list is a shaky reservation in today's world. You never know when they are gonna go bankrupt or have a worker's strike, like Delta and their Pilots.

Although we were separated for the first time on Southwest this last Spring. I didn't pay for EB and let me youngest and his friend board first. They kept walking back and back. I should told them to find 2 together and take it and then take 3 others for the rest of us. By the time we got to the back of the plane and turned around, many of the rest of the seats had been taken. I felt bad for my youngest's friend who was flying for the first time. We were all 5 seated separately! Never should have happened! ugh!

This time, JetBlue yeah!

 

[jtkboston]

This time, JetBlue yeah!

They are my top pick, but we booked our cruise too late to get acceptable JetBlue fares from BOS. So we'll do Southwest from MHT.

 

[pershing]

They are my top pick, but we booked our cruise too late to get acceptable JetBlue fares from BOS. So we'll do Southwest from MHT.

I looked at MHT this season because BDL was so high but MHT seemed high also. I've never flown out of MHT though came close to booking twice. Would be long drive for us though.

Lately I've been thinking about packing and how little I can possibly bring. I usually pack a little suitcase filled with 'dinner clothes' for the cruise and put other things in it that we will only use on the cruise ie flippers for CC. That suitcase stays in the rental car before and after the cruise.

I'm trying to figure it so that minimal daywear is brought. I think I'm gonna bring less and do laundry. I want to time it so that I do laundry the first day of the cruise and then not do it again. I always get caught up in the crowd doing laundry the last day.

We will have 3 days in Cocoa Beach prior to the cruise and I think those outfits and 2 bathingsuits more could work for the entire week of the cruise. What ya think?

 

[mdurette]

Southwest schedule has opened for return homes.
Ugly prices - I thank goodness I have been collecting my points with them!

 

[whamma]

I just booked our flight home after the cruise. Our Southwest prices weren't too bad but I ended up booking AirTran because of flight departure time (2:30 p.m. vs. 11:35 a.m.) and the ability to pay to have my exact seat reserved. Price was pretty similar to SW--even adding on the fee we'll pay for checked baggage. Glad to have that done! Now I just have to wait until it's time to book shore excursions!

 

[mdurette]

From MCO to PVD Southwest was $403 for the Saturday return - yep that was one way. That Wanna Get Away fair is now sold out and the next level is $436 right now.

New England school vacation week....they get ya in price.

 

[Dodieauglis]

Good afternoon all:

My wife and I just returned from the Fantasy 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise on 20 October so here is a short trip report for our upcoming cruise in 172 days. I can only comment on the things that we did and what other friends had told us about excursions...

We were in room 10154 (Cat 5A upgraded from a Cat 9C). Room was perfect as expected. We were aft/port right below Cabana's. We were worried about noise from the above restaurant but we heard nothing.

We went to every show except "Buckets and Boards" since we had seen them on a previous cruise and didn't really care too much for it. Others on the cruise w/us loved the show. I guess it wasn't our style?

Ports of call:
Grand Cayman - We had done the Seaworld Explorer Submarine. Actually, it's basically a glass bottom boat. You get to see the sealife, coral, and shipwrecks. The "captain" went into the water w/some food in his hand and all the fish went to him. Once he had a nice grouping of fish, he swam by the windows so we could get pictures. This was a good excursion but the kids around us loved seeing all the fish.

Costa Maya - We did not do a Disney excursion, instead there was a group of us that reserved all the seats at Tropicante (Google it). Steve (owner) was great. Not only did he hold our place, he and his crew ensured we had everything we needed/wanted for our 4 or 5 hours there. Steve gave us a free bottle of Tequilla which explains why I don't remember how long I was there. My wife got a 1 hour massage for only $25. The down side is you have to deal with someone trying to sell you something every 10 minutes and they made several passes while we were there. They were not pushy about it and haggling over prices is always fun!!

Cozumel - We did the Cozumel Beach Break. We got picked up by a bus, taken to the resort, and we had our own section in which to sit and relax. The staff was great. They did things to amuse the kids like a football toss, water balloon toss, and a pinata. All food and drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were covered and they had waiters making rounds every few minutes asking if you needed anything. The food was buffet style and was mediocre in my opinion. On a side note, our friends did the jeep tour and had nothing good to say about it; bald tires on the jeep, hot and sunburned because the top was down, and the "ruins" looked like someone built them the night before just for that tour. They were NOT impressed and said they were going to speak to port adventures on the ship about it. They were not looking for a refund, but to warn others.

Castaway Cay - it's Disney's island...so it was perfect! We stayed at the adult beach since we were kidless.

If someone has a specific question, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer it.

Eric

 

[pershing]

Good afternoon all:

My wife and I just returned from the Fantasy 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise on 20 October so here is a short trip report for our upcoming cruise in 172 days. I can only comment on the things that we did and what other friends had told us about excursions...

We were in room 10154 (Cat 5A upgraded from a Cat 9C). Room was perfect as expected. We were aft/port right below Cabana's. We were worried about noise from the above restaurant but we heard nothing.

We went to every show except "Buckets and Boards" since we had seen them on a previous cruise and didn't really care too much for it. Others on the cruise w/us loved the show. I guess it wasn't our style?

Ports of call:
Grand Cayman - We had done the Seaworld Explorer Submarine. Actually, it's basically a glass bottom boat. You get to see the sealife, coral, and shipwrecks. The "captain" went into the water w/some food in his hand and all the fish went to him. Once he had a nice grouping of fish, he swam by the windows so we could get pictures. This was a good excursion but the kids around us loved seeing all the fish.

Costa Maya - We did not do a Disney excursion, instead there was a group of us that reserved all the seats at Tropicante (Google it). Steve (owner) was great. Not only did he hold our place, he and his crew ensured we had everything we needed/wanted for our 4 or 5 hours there. Steve gave us a free bottle of Tequilla which explains why I don't remember how long I was there. My wife got a 1 hour massage for only $25. The down side is you have to deal with someone trying to sell you something every 10 minutes and they made several passes while we were there. They were not pushy about it and haggling over prices is always fun!!

Cozumel - We did the Cozumel Beach Break. We got picked up by a bus, taken to the resort, and we had our own section in which to sit and relax. The staff was great. They did things to amuse the kids like a football toss, water balloon toss, and a pinata. All food and drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) were covered and they had waiters making rounds every few minutes asking if you needed anything. The food was buffet style and was mediocre in my opinion. On a side note, our friends did the jeep tour and had nothing good to say about it; bald tires on the jeep, hot and sunburned because the top was down, and the "ruins" looked like someone built them the night before just for that tour. They were NOT impressed and said they were going to speak to port adventures on the ship about it. They were not looking for a refund, but to warn others.

Castaway Cay - it's Disney's island...so it was perfect! We stayed at the adult beach since we were kidless.

If someone has a specific question, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer it.

Eric

Great report!

Were you upgraded by Disney or did you do a port upgrade? If the latter, how much did it run you? (Inquiring minds want to know )

I was looking at other excursions than the ones you did, but it's nice to hear about them. I don't like haggling at beaches so I would pass on that one even if I wasn't thinking about something else.

Have you been on the Dream? Was their any differences between the two besides the little pool on the top deck of the Fantasy and the restaurant/bar theming?