April 2, 2005 Magic-First DCL cruise-anyone going?

[cwf1028]

Molli&Emmas_mom-nice to meet you. I guess I got unsubscribed to this thread and did not realize it! This will be our first cruise with DCL, however DH and I have cruised others. We will be myself-Christy, DH-Anthony, DD(7)-Elayna and DD(4)-Ansley. We are also on Deck 2, inside deluxe room. School starts here tomorrow and all I can think about is that means Spring break is that much closer!!

 

[RachelTori]

Back to school here in Cobb County, GA tomorrow morning too!

Christy, you have young children so it's not too bad when they miss a day of school or 2. My youngest (who turns 11 in 9 days!) starts middle school tomorrow. They REALLY don't like when your child misses school for a family vacation! We're having guilt already because we're driving down the day before the cruise - Friday 4/1, so Tori will miss that day. Is your family driving?

Anyone on our cruise make their hotel ressies for the night before yet? I think we're staying at the Radisson again - we met lots of others on our cruise there the evening before! They do have the package where you can leave your car for the week. The only drawback is that you may have to wait for their shuttle after the cruise, which is when everyone is anxious to get on the road. Last time, we parked our car at the port - I think it was $70 for the week.

 

[anlashokna]

::shakes head::: Don't you dare feel guilty about taking your kids out of school. If they're doing well there is no reason why they can't miss a day or two or more. What the schools should be worried about are cronic offenders. Gone more than there.

Anyway, alot of my childhood was spent in the DOD(dept. of defense)schools and I can even remember a time where i missed several weeks of school (believe bordering on a month) while in process of moving. I was never behind from missing school and in fact when I went back into the public schools when we came back from overseas I was so far ahead I was bored stiff with school!

I think school's over rate missing a few days as being the worse thing that could happen to children especially if the kids can handle it!

Take them to WDW for week too That'll show em

 

[cwf1028]

Laura, yes we are driving down on Friday. I have to work (preschool assistant) until 1:00 that day, but I am going to get off early, about 11:00 and hit the road. I haven't decided whether I am going to check Elayna out early from school or just let her take the day off, it will probably depend on how many days she as missed at that point. We have made reservations for the night before, I am so excited, we are staying at the Motel 6! My DH is already losing sleep over the price of the cruise, so I decided he would feel better if we started out cheap. Really, I just could not justify spending much money on the hotel since we will stop for dinner on the way there and probably not arrive until bed time. I wish we could get there earlier and stay at the Radisson, but just not in the cards!

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We're coming down a few days earlier. Have to check out the new Mummy ride at Universal. My DS's have spring break the week of the cruise. So they're going to get to have 3 days out of school the week before spring break. My younger son will be 3rd grade - they have 2 full days and 3 half days that week prior to the break. The 1/2 days of school are a total waste of time. I don't know why they bother. My older DS will be a Freshman and I'm not sure yet if they have full or half days that week.



Oh - and Welcome Molli&Emmas_mom!


Laura - we made it back from our trip to Lake Havasu - in no real hurry to ever go back. It was 120 degrees during the day with lows of 90 degrees at night. We did have fun out on my sister's boat and got to see the London Bridge! Just too hot for me!

 

[anlashokna]

Those who sailed in april before. What were the all aboards for the ports?

Stacey

 

[RachelTori]

Originally posted by anlashokna
Those who sailed in april before. What were the all aboards for the ports?

Stacey

Good question! I don't remember! We can look on the Navigators (don't remember where they're posted but they're somewhere on these boards!) - they'll have the times.

Valli - 120?!!!! Phew!

 

[anlashokna]

I've seen the ones for June or July. But am I wrong in assuming the times would be different based on the time of year the port is visited?


Thanks

Stacey

 

[RachelTori]

Originally posted by anlashokna
I've seen the ones for June or July. But am I wrong in assuming the times would be different based on the time of year the port is visited?


Thanks

Stacey

Stacey, what are the times you have seen? Please post the times and later today, when I get the chance, I'll look for the ones from our cruise; I have no idea, but I'd almost think the times would be the same since the ship spends the same amount of time "at sea" - does that make sense?!!!!

Laura

 

[anlashokna]

St. Maarten - 7pm
St. Thomas- 4:30pm
Castaway Cay- 4:30

This was from a June 29, 2004 Eastern Navigators from Dave's DCL tribute site.

I understand what you're saying. I didn't know if they cut port times shorter because days are shorter that time of year. I.E gets darker earlier sort of thing.

Happy camper if we're in St. Maarten till 7pm. Might change my mind on the shore excursion.

There's another question. If you're on a beach excursion and get tired and want to head back for whatever reason can you hail a taxi and go? I'm just wondering how careful they are on head counts or if there is someone you need tell that your running off on the group.

Stacey

 

[RachelTori]

Stacey, those times sound familiar! I still plan to hunt for my Navigators later - hopefully this evening!! I don't remember it getting dark early - seems to me it was around 8 p.m. or so. Plus, we'll be on the ship for daylight savings time (which means we'll lose an hour ) - but that's an extra hour of daylight!!!

I'm not sure how they do the excursions - I'm sure you CAN leave early, but don't know the procedure. Our group decided to do it "on our own" and we were all very happy with our decision! The 'locals' are eager to help and we spent very little $$ for 2 wonderful beach & shopping days on St. Maarten & St. Thomas!!

 

[anlashokna]

You're kidding ...we're on the boat for daylight savings? Geez..I'll be messed up on time as it is ! LOL

I was thinking about doing it on my own too. However it being an unfamiliar place I was thinking going with a group would be the best ideas. I wanted to attempt Orient Beach and maybe some shopping, just hadn't decided if I want to bother with the french capital. There were a couple shops on the Dutch side I remember reading about though. One sold Lladros I think. Be curious to see what they price them at. Hopefully closer to what we would buy them at in Germany than what you would have to pay stateside Anyway the longer we're at St. Maarton the more time I have Hoping the all aboard I've seen is close to what it will be then. Any shopping recommendations ?

Its funny, trying to layout an itenary and it just seems like there isn't enough time! How can that be ? Then I have to choreograph the WDW portion after the cruise. Yikes.

Stacey

 

[RachelTori]

I have "pieces" of the Navigators in my DD's scrapbook! Here's the info from our cruise:

Tuesday 4/8/2003: Sunrise 6:13 a.m. Sunset 6:24 p.m.
Arrive St. Maarten 7:00 a.m. Approx All Ashore 8:00 a.m.
All Aboard 9:30 p.m. Depart port 10:00 p.m.

Wednesday 4/9/03: Sunrise 6:08 a.m. Sunset 6:35 p.m.
Arrive St. Thomas 7:30 a.m. Approx All Ashore 8:15 a.m.
All Aboard 4:30 p.m. Depart port 4:45 p.m.

Friday 4/11/03: Sunrise 6:49 a.m. Sunset 7:36 p.m.
Arrive Castaway Cay 9:15 a.m. Approx All Ashore 9:30 a.m.
All Aboard 4:30 p.m. Departure 5:00 p.m.

(Don't know if April 2004 cruises followed the same times or not; nothing stays the same forever!!)

We almost didn't make it to Castaway Cay - took the Captain 3 tries and about an extra hour. We felt lucky to get there. Unfortunately, the local workers who come in by boat were not able to make it to the island (no hair braiding for DD) - and all the excursions for that day were cancelled due to the windy weather. (The sun was shining and the island looked beautiful, but the wind was relentless!) Disney has an alternate plan and if we're unable to get to Castaway Cay, they plan a special day at sea!

Laura

 

[RachelTori]

I remember a 'seminar' in the movie theatre on the Magic where they distribute information and even coupons for many of the shops on St. Maarten. It was really helpful and we had a blast hitting the shops, but I don't remember many of the specifics! I know they have jewels & jewelry at supposedly great prices. Our friend, Andy, is in the jewelry business and he went to the seminar, then hit all the jewelry stores and seemed to agree you can get some good deals

I'd go ahead and book the excursions you think you'll want. If you find out there's a group doing something "on our own" and you want to join, I'm sure you'll be welcome! You just have to know the cancellation policy for the excursions.

 

[anlashokna]

Oh I hope they don't have problems with Castaway Cay. That would be a big disappointment. I had hoped to try and attend one of the shopping talks if I have time That is if there is time between the spa and lounging and eating.. Well, not so much the eating.

I was just wishing April would get here. One of those miserably long days at work. Kept looking at my screensaver of the magic at Castaway Cay. Once the clock gets below 200 it'll feel like no time right???

 

[RachelTori]

My computer crashed - just got back online after 5 days without. I see there hasn't been any activity on our thread. Glad I didn't miss anything!

Laura

 

[anlashokna]

Just been watching the florida news. Waiting to see if the current cruise turns into a mystery tour or not Sounds like a lot of folks didn't make the ship. Had to be pretty rough seas for this sailing.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

Oh - I feel for those people on the ship now! I had one of those "Mystery" tours. While DCL handled it great - I don't really ever want to repeat the 40 foot swells and gale force winds

 

[RachelTori]

Oops - we're getting 'buried' again! How's everyone doing? Do we have any new cruisers joining us?

Laura

 

[cwf1028]

Just hard to get much time on the computer now that school/work has started. Once preschool starts I will be even busier. I don't mind though, the cruise will be here before I know it!