April 17, 2004 -- anyone going with us?

[RobinMarie]

Thanks for the reply - it certainly isn't looking good for air fares yet. I'm going to wait a little while longer before booking. I'm even considering driving!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by jeanie
Anyone have advice to give on excursions? We would like to do St. John's on our own and go to either Trunk or Cinnamon. But I have no idea what to do in St Martins. We went to St. Martin's years ago (before kids) and we went to Orient Beach which was absolutely gorgeous. This time we were thinking of doing the Golden Eagle, any one have any suggestion??


Thanks,

I did the Sea and See with my Mom (74) and son (7) last May - very nice - bus ride to Dutch side of Island, underwater viewing of sealife there plus shopping. Getting to see the entire island in an A/C bus and a little sea life made both them happy campers!

Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by outahere
Hi Rae..............

Glad to have you going with us!! Any chance I could bribe you to save at least a few shrimp for me if you board before I do?

This is our first trip on the Magic, but DW and I have cruised the same eastern itinerary on the Norway and spent a long weekend on St. Thomas a few years back.

Ed

Ahh, my shrimp reputation has followed me to this cruise also, I see! Well, I'm also an orange-mango soup fiend, but I put it in a glass with ice and some rum for a nice smoothie type drink!

I love St. Thomas but have never ventured past the Mall, although we did go over to St. John for their Island Tour (very nice). Would love to see more of St. Thomas this time around though! Any suggestions?!

Rae

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by RobinMarie
Thanks for the reply - it certainly isn't looking good for air fares yet. I'm going to wait a little while longer before booking. I'm even considering driving!

We drove for the first time to the Port this past October. Honestly, I found it (1) cheaper and (2) less stressful!! There is a park and ride at the Radisson, where you can stay overnight and have free parking with shuttle service to the Port. We stayed at Days Inn then drove to the Port and parked there (secure for $70).

What I liked best about parking at the Port was easy access to your vehicle. I had to disembark after embarkation to check for a missing bag - it wasn't easy but it was doable! Also, it only took us 20 minutes from the time they started disembarkation for me to be on the highway heading north. Not much traffic at that time of the day!!

Mom liked the idea of being able to have her luggage locked and secure. Hey, she's 74 and if that's what makes her happy, then I'm all for it.

We are staying at the Days Inn near Univeral for around $30/night the week before the cruise - DH and DS want that Universal/Sea World fix. So if anyone needs anything picked up, let me know ahead of time.

Rae

 

[outahere]

Ahh, my shrimp reputation has followed me to this cruise also, I see!

Rae.......

You should know by now that your shrimp reputation is legendary here on the cruise board!!!

I have been to Bluebeard's castle, The Mountaintop, Magens Bay and Coral World. Of them all, I would recommend Magens Bay. Absolutely beautiful beach and water.

We are hoping to do the Atlantis submarine this time, along with the obligatory shopping. We found a small jewelry shop near the waterfront when we were last there and want to see if it is still there. I have a gold bracelet from them, that DW bought for me, and I've worn it for years.

Ed

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by outahere
Rae.......

You should know by now that your shrimp reputation is legendary here on the cruise board!!!
Ed

And I am proud of it! But honestly, I had esophageal reconstruction (GERD and hiatal hernia) and am not able to eat all that much - but what I do eat are all the WRONG things!!!!!!

I wish there were a "pirate" type ship to sail on - I'd like to be a pirate for a day!!!!!! (Yo ho ho and just bring me RUM!)

Rae

 

[outahere]

Maybe we could convince DCL to bring the Black Pearl to St. Thomas? That would be a great excursion............

 

[rae519]

Ohhh my! The Black Pearl! That would be soooo exciting!
Now I did have a memorable moment on Grand Cayman when Michael and I rode on the Beach with Nicki - that was a "Black Stallion" moment for us!!! (HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS!!!)

Hey, is anyone going to start a list for us and a meet and greet place???

Rae

 

[rae519]

Anyone making plans for shore excursions?

Ann Morin, fellow Disney vet, raves about the Antigua Dolphin Excursion so we are going to do that - I am not sure about Michael (8), but they do have the option for those who just want to observe for $50 less per child's ticket.

Rae

 

[jeanie]

The more I read these boards the more we change our minds about which excursions we want to do!!

Originally we wanted to do the Golden Eagle and St John's on our own......

Now I am concerned after reading about GE. We all burn really easily and it sounds like there is not alot of shade on this excursion?? This sounds really fun but I don't want us to burn...

So if we don't do the Golden Eagle then I was thinking of doing Great Bay and then do some shopping (no one in my family is a shopper!! but I figured we should take a look around Front Street at least and try those Guavaberry Coladas I've read so much about....)

DH and I had been to Orient along time ago and it was beautiful, but my 12 year old is painfully shy and would be mortified to see naked people so we can scratch that one off too....


I would like to see either Cinnamon or Trunk Bay and we will most likely do these on our own....


Happy New Year!!

Only 16 more Saturdays!!! 109 days!!!

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by jeanie
DH and I had been to Orient along time ago and it was beautiful, but my 12 year old is painfully shy and would be mortified to see naked people so we can scratch that one off too....


Only 16 more Saturdays!!! 109 days!!!

Scared me to think of people my size naked! Hey, it's just not a pretty sight at my age either!!! So I'm in with your daugher - NO WAY JOSE!

I like the 16 Saturdays - sounds so much better than 109 days!!

I got a new camera today. Yup, decided it was time for Rae to come out of the dark ages and opted for the new Kodak Easyshare 6340 with all the "bells and whistles" - now just to figure it all out and get used to not looking through a viewfinder.
This is going to take some effort, time and lots of practice!

Tom says we are definitely going to the Antigua Dolphin Swim and I'd like to get back to St. John (Trunk Bay). I prefer doing DCL excursions (although at Grand Cayman, I do go riding at Nicki's and that's a non-Disney one). I'd also like to see St. Thomas but with someone that's been there before and knows the best places (sights).

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Hi Rae,

Welcome aboard!! Shrimp?? Okay this could get ugly. Both my DH and I are long time shrimp eaters. They better put on a large number of extras.
When are we due to get the papers for the excursions? I can't remember how far out they arrive. DH says he has that information "somewhere", and he'll "see" if he can find it. By that time the new ones will probably be here.
I would love to do the dolphin experience. But think I'll wait to decide, since everything sounds like such fun.
Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year!!

Estelle

 

[rae519]

Estelle - My Mom is a "coal miner's daughter" from Scranton area - small world.

Ahhh, shrimp competition. Now do you want my secret drink to wash it down with? Pour orange mango soup in a cup with ice and add RUM - delicious!

I think we get out docs about 30 days before - I could be wrong, but that seems about right with DVC points. I never feel like it's a "go" until those babies are getting signed!

Tom is positive about the dolphin excursion so we will be doing it, I am not sure but I think we will go over to St. John (Trunk Bay).
I know that this time we are going to have more adult time than before - I'm already telling this to Michael repeatedly!!!!

I also like the lamp chops - be warned!!!

Rae

 

[outahere]

Rae,

I also like the lamp chops

Wow....... don't remember those on the menu

I can see right now that I'm going to have be first in line to board so there's still some shrimp around. Estelle is right...... this could get ugly.

A Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone!!!!

Ed

 

[ehtpnt]

Lamb chops!

Okay this is definately getting ugly. My DH has a thing for lamb chops. Personally I am a beef eater. Mad cows? What mad cows.

We routinely drive down from Bethlehem to WDW. We usually go around Presidents day but with the cruise this year we are waiting until then to go. When we did the first cruise we drove down and stayed at the Radisson the night before. Left the mini van in their parking lot and took the shuttle to the dock. We plan to do that again as it worked really well.

The shuttle was waiting when we arrived back and we were off the boat and back at the Radisson in maybe 20 minutes tops.
Off course we had late breakfast and ate slowly so that by the time we were getting off there were only a few bags waiting to be picked up.

So that's our take on that. A coal miners' daughter from Scranton. We get up there once in a while. She wouldn't know the area these days. Our quiet Lehigh Valley has been invaded by folks who have moved here from mostly New Jersey. I'm allowed to say that since I grew up there. Even Scranton has a bunch of new houses. Ah well , progress...I think.


Estelle

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by ehtpnt
Lamb chops!

Okay this is definately getting ugly. My DH has a thing for lamb chops. Personally I am a beef eater. Mad cows? What mad cows.

Estelle

What is wrong with us?
Food! Food! Food!
Okay, this is the fun part - we can eat all we want on the ship!!!

Can't wait til we get together!!!

Rae

 

[lsutigger2]

Add us to the list! I just checked out this thread today and DH and I will be on the 4-17-04 Eastern cruise!! I'm beginning to get really excited about it all, as we're first time cruisers! I'll be having a "special birthday" and this is what I picked to do! Glad to know there will be such great folks on board!

Rae - I also have a Koday 6340 and you can look thru the viewfinder to take pics. That's the way I do it all the time. I really have enjoyed my camera. Don't know how to do all the bells and whistles yet, but I'm learning.

I like the counting Saturdays idea as well. I work a lot of Saturdays so I usually know what I'm doing each weekend and can quote it. I'll have to look at my calendar and see what's up between now and then!

 

[rae519]

Welcome lsutigger2 - nice to have the "Cajun" flavor to add to our melting pot of Disney friends!

Ohh, girl, that 6340 has so much on it! WHEW! Can I ever figure this out!!!!!!!

A special birthday ehh - well, congrats!!!! Hope we can be part that !!

Rae

 

[ehtpnt]

Hi Isutigger2,

Welcome, we're going on our second cruise and can't wait. Guess I should ask. How are you about shrimp and lamb chops? I thought of something else that I am looking forward to on the ship chocolate lava cake. I've had it on shore but it just isn't the same.

Have to go and let the dog out of the crate, she just had dinner. So I'm outa here.

Estelle

 

[lsutigger2]

Being from South Louisiana, I love shrimp! Can't say I've ever had lamb (or lamp) chops!! Maybe I'll give 'em a try. Dh, I think likes lamb chops and doesn't like shrimp, so I'll take his share, if I can get in line in front of you guys!!

We're really looking forward to the trip! Even if I will turn --
while we're gone!