August 22nd 2009 Western Carribbean Anyone?

[TheFatMansWife]

WELCOME A BOARD ALL NEW CRUISERS
WHAT A FUN CRUISE THIS WILL BE

 

[wayneg]

Updated website

 

[Maza]

do i get extra points for being both british AND a nurse

welcome aboard newbys....great to have you along.
wayne..at my last count there were just over 100 of us Dissers....but that was atleast 40 ppl ago...might need to rethink the Dis meet...the ship might list if we are all in the one place at the same time!
My FEs arrived this morning..I had been sweating as my DMum and DBro came last week...but they are no longer MIA...and look fab. as some of you will see soon and many many thanks need to go to Tiffany for her excellent craft(wo)manship.
trying to muster up a bit of cruise excitment...but i have so many other things to do before...just not feeling it yet!
trying to do atleast one thing per week towards the cruise...this week was probably unpacking my FEs from the DHL wrapping...but its something!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Sigh...Thanks!! Rachel is not that happy about either, she was looking forward to 7 nights of hanging out with Kristine. And yes..we spend a boat load on the PC cruise, but what an amazing vacation! It was incredible!

What makes it even more depressing is no cruise 2010 either! No 7 nights that summer..plus my DS is looking to get married in Sept of 2010.

I keep hoping some great rates happen for November and we can swing that! With our without the kids!! (I know..I am mean!!)

Joiseymom......we are so, so, sorry you can't make this cruise. Kristine was so looking forward to seeing Rachel again.

But I'm sure you spent a boatload (excuse the pun) on the Panama Canal cruise last summer and I'm sure it was worth it.

So far we've taken a pass on every special itinerary cruise that DCL has done since we felt the cost was way too high. I, too, am curious to see what DCL will do to try to fill up the Med/Baltic cruises next summer.

I'm not surprised to read that this cruise is getting full. I think DCL did the right thing keeping the Magic in the Caribbean this summer.

As for things to do in Grand Cayman.....we've done the DCL beach excursions as well as the Stingray City excursions. They were okay.....it was convenient to have DCL handle all of the bookings as our kids were young at the time. But I'd definitely look into booking things on your own to save some $$$$.

Life has been insane right now....mostly due to sports and school concerts (its not just the actual concert but the dress rehearsal the night before). But I'm happy that I got my summer vegetable plants in the ground and made good ground on my flower beds. Last year I was in a leg cast and couldn't do a thing in the garden so I've got catching up to do.

Kids have 3 more weeks of school. Then I'll be able to focus on this cruise.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

Just booked our excursions/reservations....

I'm a little bummed because I totally dropped the ball on this one. I got back from my grad class after 9:00 last night with an assignment that needed to get done and was exhausted by 11. I TOTALLY forgot about my plans (which were written on my calendar!) to stay up late so I could book reservations.

As a result, we're eating dinner at Palo on Day 6 (at sea) at 9 PM. A little later, both day and time, than I would like... and no Palo brunches are available for us honeymooners at all

We did nab a 1:00 PM couple's cabana massage at Castaway Cay and the two shore excursions (all day exploring the Tulum Ruins in Cozumel and the Rum Point Beach/Sting Ray City on Grand Cayman) that we wanted.

Any tips on how to get the Disney honeymoon magic to work for us so we can have some yummy brunch/eat our Palo dinner earlier on the trip?

 

[julielouhoo]

Just booked our excursions/reservations....

I'm a little bummed because I totally dropped the ball on this one. I got back from my grad class after 9:00 last night with an assignment that needed to get done and was exhausted by 11. I TOTALLY forgot about my plans (which were written on my calendar!) to stay up late so I could book reservations.

As a result, we're eating dinner at Palo on Day 6 (at sea) at 9 PM. A little later, both day and time, than I would like... and no Palo brunches are available for us honeymooners at all

We did nab a 1:00 PM couple's cabana massage at Castaway Cay and the two shore excursions (all day exploring the Tulum Ruins in Cozumel and the Rum Point Beach/Sting Ray City on Grand Cayman) that we wanted.

Any tips on how to get the Disney honeymoon magic to work for us so we can have some yummy brunch/eat our Palo dinner earlier on the trip?

Disney holds a certain percentage of Palo, spa and excursion reservations for people to book on board, so if you head to Palo when you board (watch out for me, I'll be knocking and blocking to get there I blew it for my tea reservation) you may be able to get a reservation for brunch.

Actually, Day 6 is a great day for Palo. With Disney's rotational dining, there are special menus for the first night at each and that wonderful surprise in Animator's Palate only the first time you visit. Then there's the Pirate dinner that you really don't want to miss. So by day 6 you can rest assure you won't miss anything big. You can also try first thing on board for a different day/time and check in with the host/hostess each day to see if there have been any cancellations. Often times people will cancel or change a Palo reservation, once they see what their dining rotation is, or just change their minds. So, don't worry be happy!!

 

[julielouhoo]

Welcome Aboard to all the new families!!! We can't wait to meet everyone!! For those looking for a crash course in Disney cruising, in addition to this board, I recommend checking out the passporter website for their disney cruise book. It has so much information and tips to make your trip really great!!

Wayne, I hope you had a great trip. I can't believe you went home and didn't just wait at the dock!! I hope Karen had a great birthday. Where did you celebrate that night?

Maria, I hope you had a nice first couple of days at your new job. I'm glad to hear the FE's finally made it!!

Marianne, Ryan will email Kyle tonight.

We are almost to the finish line with school. Then I'm on to my FE gifts finalizing our plans!!! (And I better reaquaint myself with the gym)!!!

I'm on a field trip to Washington DC tomorrow with 125 8th graders
Hope everyone is having a great day!!

Terri

 

[Donald Applecore]

I'm a little bummed because I totally dropped the ball on this one. I got back from my grad class after 9:00 last night with an assignment that needed to get done and was exhausted by 11. I TOTALLY forgot about my plans (which were written on my calendar!) to stay up late so I could book reservations.

I know the feeling I did this w/ our ADRs for DisneyWorld - We were only trying to get two, but my 90 days fell during finals & I totally dropped the ball both times. It probably didn't help that they started free dining a week early this year & we are staying off-site for that week. (Oh well, with everyone else stuck at TS restaurants, maybe there will be shorter lines for the rides - I know, "yeah right")

all day exploring the Tulum Ruins in Cozumel

We will see you there - This excursion is one of the reasons we picked the Western Itinerary

Any tips on how to get the Disney honeymoon magic to work for us so we can have some yummy brunch/eat our Palo dinner earlier on the trip?

From what I've read, just do like Terri said - The first thing when you get onboard, make a beeline to Rockin Bar D to make reservations for Palo and you will probably be fine. Here is some extra honeymoon pixie dust, just in case

 

[wayneg]

Wayne, I hope you had a great trip. I can't believe you went home and didn't just wait at the dock!! I hope Karen had a great birthday. Where did you celebrate that night?

Hi Terri
We had a great trip thanks. Wish we could have just waited there. Only 8 weeks and we fly again.
Karen really enjoyed her Birthday, spent it in MK, she got $75 gift card as we entered, not spent it yet. All day CM and guests were saying Happy Birthday to her. Evening went to her fave place to eat Mimis Cafe, servers came over and sang Mimis Birthday song and gave her free Birthday dessert. Great day.

 

[Donald Applecore]

(And I better reaquaint myself with the gym)!!!

We have been trying this too - so far reacquainting w/ the gym hasn't been near as much trouble as learning how to control the urge to eat everything in sight

 

[Mackie Mouse]

Actually, Day 6 is a great day for Palo. With Disney's rotational dining, there are special menus for the first night at each and that wonderful surprise in Animator's Palate only the first time you visit. Then there's the Pirate dinner that you really don't want to miss. So by day 6 you can rest assure you won't miss anything big. You can also try first thing on board for a different day/time and check in with the host/hostess each day to see if there have been any cancellations. Often times people will cancel or change a Palo reservation, once they see what their dining rotation is, or just change their minds. So, don't worry be happy!!

That's GREAT to know, Julie! I wouldn't have thought of that before. I knew that I didn't want to do Palo on either the formal night, the pirate night, the first night, or the last night if possible. So this is great news to me. I'll just have to see if we can move dinner a little earlier, then...8:00 (our usual dining time) or 8:30 would be ideal, I think. Then we can still catch the show that night, right..?

And it seems like we'll be seeing a lot of one another, Bryan! I laughed when I saw that our names are definitely linked for this trip....I must confess, I accidentally nearly booked you two our cabana massage, as well! I'm really excited for the Tulum ruins day. Definitely going to be one of the highlights of the trip....I hear that it's a really great spot in Mexico to go.

Anything that FH and I should be booking that I haven't thought of...? If you were going on a Disney Cruise for your honeymoon, what would be your must-dos?

 

[gonzalj1]

We'd love to join the FE fun. MY kids are so looking forward to it.

 

[wayneg]

We'd love to join the FE fun. MY kids are so looking forward to it.

Added FE after your name. Maria will add to her list when she reads this.
Recieved some items now for gift exchange, ordering more tomorrow.

 

[travisx4]

Welcome aboard
I have added you to the FE list...names and cabin no. would be good..if you have them ( cabin no....obv. you have names!) PM if you prefer anonimity!

Maria

So far we are 16 families....with 34 children.....

Thanks Maria. There is myself, Scott, DW Liz and DS Spencer

 

[jhryb]

We will see you there - This excursion is one of the reasons we picked the Western Itinerary

We'll also be joining your parties on the excursion to the Tulum Ruins

 

[Aurora's Mommy]

Anything that FH and I should be booking that I haven't thought of...? If you were going on a Disney Cruise for your honeymoon, what would be your must-dos?

Relax. Hang out by the Quiet Cove Pool. Have a drink at Sessions. Did you consider the Exotic Rasul . Did I mention relax?

More pixie dust for Palo ressies . Also, IMHO, I know you hear not to miss the first night at AP or Pirate night, but I believe that this is your first cruise? If that is the case, you don't know what you are missing. PLUS, then you will just have to go on another Disney cruise someday to see what you missed .

 

[stsomewhere]

I
We will see you there - This excursion is one of the reasons we picked the Western Itinerary

QUOTE]

Same for us. The kids were tired of us dragging them on eastern routes.

 

[jsolar]

Hello all. I have managed to get reservations for Palo on Day 7 at 6:30. Will I miss anything in the main dining room?

Also, I am traveling with my 2 year old son. Will I want to sign him up for Flounders in the evening, or will I want him to be with us for the evening activities?

Lastly, I thought I read somewhere that I can reserve or rent a stroller on the ship. Does that still apply?

Thanks everyone. Looking forward to the trip!!

 

[julielouhoo]

Hi Terri
We had a great trip thanks. Wish we could have just waited there. Only 8 weeks and we fly again.
Karen really enjoyed her Birthday, spent it in MK, she got $75 gift card as we entered, not spent it yet. All day CM and guests were saying Happy Birthday to her. Evening went to her fave place to eat Mimis Cafe, servers came over and sang Mimis Birthday song and gave her free Birthday dessert. Great day.

YUM! That looks great!! I'm glad you had a great trip and Karen enjoyed her birthday. I've never been to Mimi's. Where is it?

 

[julielouhoo]

We have been trying this too - so far reacquainting w/ the gym hasn't been near as much trouble as learning how to control the urge to eat everything in sight

If it keeps up, just switch gears from losing weight to training for the buffets!! That's usually my plan!!

Anything that FH and I should be booking that I haven't thought of...? If you were going on a Disney Cruise for your honeymoon, what would be your must-dos?

If you are looking for something relaxing, there are lounge chairs on Deck 4 that are comfortable and a quiet place to read a book or just relax. My DH goes there to read (with his eyes closed, mostly). There's always a nice breeze and they are usually shaded. Also, the rain forest room and the rasul are nice ways to enjoy the spa together, inexpensively.

Hello all. I have managed to get reservations for Palo on Day 7 at 6:30. Will I miss anything in the main dining room?

Day 7 is the farewell dinner. You might just want to slip into the dining room at some point that evening to thank your waiters and give out your gratutities, or you could probably do that the night before, you'd just have to lask your cabin steward to leave you the envelopes a night early.