April 8, 2006 Western Magic Cruise

[lak]

Do any of you have a preference on what to do at Grand Cayman? (forgive me if I've asked that question already. I'm spacing.)

 

[UMTerp]

lak - People have always said that a trip to Stingray City in Grand Cayman is a must. My DD was too young last time we did the Western cruise so we are going there this time. We booked through an independent agency, Native Way. I've read good things about them on the DIS and cruise critic. Last time we took a taxi to 7-mile beach near the Holiday Inn. It was nice but there was a pretty good drop off in the water. A little scary with my little one at the time but we did fine. The beach was lovely. Then we took the public bus to the Turtle Farm. Went to the Tortuga rum cake factory and had some samples and bought some. We liked that as well. We took the public bus back to the port and did a little bit of shopping.

Good luck!

UMTerp

 

[poconoboatniks]

Any docs yet? I'm looking for the UPS box everyday when I get home. I can't wait.

 

[lak]

Thanks folks! I like that rundown of Grand Cayman. Helps a lot.

My husband just asked about documents as well. I know my neighbors received docs about a week before they left for their 4-day last month. Hers came via FEDEX.

Funny...I didn't think I would be a poster. But I'm SO excited....who else do I have to talk to about it?!??!?!??!

Now I'm trying to figure out Nextel communication. My husband is a builder. He needs to keep in touch with how the houses are going. If anyone knows anything...would appreciate the info. Me?....to heck with a phone...will be nice to live without it and access to the internet for a week!

 

[UMTerp]

lak - I know what you mean! It gets worse when you've been on multiple DCL cruises! Nobody at my work wants to hear anymore about a DCL cruise BTDT!
I know that some people have had some luck with cell phones on the various islands. We have Verizon and switched to an international plan for a month when we went on the repo cruise. Tried to call the states from Curacao and it didn't work. No biggie, just trying to call my DB for his b-day. Can you DH use the internet to check on things? If so, you might want to get the unlimited internet package onboard.

We usually get our docs 3-4 weeks ahead so it shouldn't be long now!!!

As soon as I get DD's b-day party out of the way I can start packing (or at least making piles of stuff). I do have a container in my closet that has cruise stuff in it already (lanyards, extension cord, etc).

I'm just wondering who is going to be the first to respond "YES" --
Packed yet?

UMTerp

 

[poconoboatniks]

I won't be first. I usually put the bulk of the stuff in the extra bedroom and then leave the little stuff to the end. The day we leave I'll still be tossing stuff in the suitcase. I like to leave one gift purchase for the two days before Christmas.

 

[polly p]

Hi Everyone

No docs yet. And definitely not packed yet. I too have piles of stuff around. I just have to get my older kids to stop taking the things back that I have already packed.

Um-When is dd's birthday. We are having our dd's on 3/25. Her actual birthday is when we are on the cruise, but this is the only weekend we have free until May.

lak-We are going on the rum point beach adventure with stingrays at Grand Caymen. My neighbor did the research and said it would be good for our little dd's.

Any one if we are still going to cozumel or not?

Get packing!

Lori

 

[lak]

Has anyone used the space saver bags?

 

[UMTerp]

Good morning everyone!

polly - DD's b-day is March 14th. A birthday on the cruise is fun! Be sure to tell your head server that you are celebrating her b-day. They will bring a cake and sing. If they still give them out, they have birthday buttons too!

lak - I haven't used space saver bags but we do use zip locks. Makes it so easy! Put an outfit for each day (including underwear, hair things, etc) in a zip lock and give to each kid in the morning. DH and I use them too! Just have one of the kids sit on them to get the air out and zip them up. Do be careful about your airline weight limit because you can pack alot more in this way. We use the 1, 2, and 2 1/2 gallon zip locks depending on how thick the clothes are. We still hang our nicer things and use dry cleaner bags to keep the wrinkles down.

Packed yet?

UMTerp

 

[polly p]

Good morning everyone!

polly - DD's b-day is March 14th. A birthday on the cruise is fun! Be sure to tell your head server that you are celebrating her b-day. They will bring a cake and sing. If they still give them out, they have birthday buttons too!
UMTerp

thanks, she would like that.

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone.

not packed yet!

Lori

 

[poconoboatniks]

Not packed

No docs yet.

I have used the space saver bags for the kids. I put shirts in one and shorts in another. UM is right, you have to be careful with the weight limits.

Happy St. Patty's Day. We're having corned beef and cabbage with the extended family tonight and huge family party tomorrow. How are you guys celebrating?

Pocono

 

[Vavasmon]

Got Docs today and they are WRONG.

DD is missing from everything (passenger list, Bahamas forms, luggae tags, etc).

 

[polly p]

Oh no! I hope they can be easily fixed. Good Luck.
No docs yet.
Not packed yet.

Lori

 

[UMTerp]

We got docs yesterday!!! I guess they couldn't put the Bahamas immigration form online so we will still have to fill that out. Much smaller package than usual with the online checkin. It was addressed to DH and didn't look like the normal docs. I didn't even open it because I didn't know what it was! Getting ready for DD's sleepover! DS had to miss his camping trip this weekend because he woke up last night with severe ear pain after swimming lessons yesterday! Heard on the news that the flu is strong in our area now. We are OK so far but keeping our fingers crossed! Anyone else had flu hit their area? Pixie dust for everyone to stay healthy!

Have a great weekend!

UMTerp

Packed yet?

 

[Vavasmon]

DD is already checked in on-line so she is on the reservation. Worse comes to worse we do the Bahams form at terminal. We have 4 luggage tags which is enough. I was so excited when the package was at the door last night when I got home from my trip and so concerned when she was missing from the first page passenger list. I have not packed for the cruise yet but am living out of a suitcase for myself with all the business travel. We have almost all of the nice clothes together (DD needs her one dress hemmed and DH needs his new tux pants hemmed also).

I noticed a lot of the "information sheets" from our Dec trip doc are not in the new book. I wonder how the tipped positions feel about the suggested tip sheet not being included.

Everything at Disney still says Cozumel. UM - did you every get an answer about last minute reservations with Native Choice (Ivan and David)? Looking at Disney's announcement pattern they have announced a set of cruises not going then waitied until about 10 days out before announcing the next group. Cruisecal still shows Costa Maya and reports about the # tenders at Cozumel have not changed.

I am only home today and tomorrow before I hit the road again - this trip I have a 6 am flight out but need to go by the office first so I will be on the road starting at 2am Monday morning. I need to get our taxes done before I leave - keeping finger crossed not to owe any money and DD has a friends birthday party this afternoon.

Judy and UM hope all is well with your respective families. UM your comment about the flu has me worried. 3 weeks to go until we are on our way to the pier.

 

[windermerejudy]

Hi guys!!!!

I kept bugging that Brian guy over at Cruisecal and he told me the same thing about updating his records but it was not getting updated. Finally he sent me an email yesterday stating that he checked the info and we were as of right now going to CZ and he has it updated on cruise cal now. YEAH!!!!!!!

So now which beach park are you guys doing??

We go Tues. to hopefully get the cast off but atleast to find out. DH is feeling better and I am adjusting to my new role. I guess life is more peaceful. (Should I duck when I say that?????)

 

[Vavasmon]

JUdy - thanks for the info. I had booked the atlantis sub through Disney in Jan so I am really hoping we go to Cozumel. I will pack a few days before the trip. We did manage to get DD some new tennis shoes today. Pixie dust to your DS for the dr trip next week.

Everyone with a birthday on the ship should make sure their waiters know. DH's birthday was the day we sailed in Dec. He got a cake and a cute birthday button.

 

[lak]

Can we get away with celebrating an April 20th birthday, and a July 20th 10th anniversery? I suppose we don't have to tell them the dates. That's what I did for my youngest's birthday while at magic kingdom.

 

[lak]

We're doing the submarine at Cozumel. To be safe, I also booked the one for Grand Cayman until I could find out if we were going to Cozumel. Then I'll cancel the one for Grand Cayman.

Can't decide what to do at Grand Cayman (have DD8 and DD6)

 

[poconoboatniks]

Pixie dust to everyone for health. Flu is running through the school. Dh has a sore throat and I've been stuffy, sneezy and coughing since Thursday night.
No docs. yet! Va, do you have to let DCL know that your dd isn't included in the docs.? Um, good luck with the sleepover. How many are sleeping over? Polly are you having a quiet weekend? Judy, glad to hear things are settling down for you.

Pocono