August 29th, 2009--Eastern Magic...Let's Get it Started!

[cruizer67]

This is my first ever post to the DIS boards, and lucky me, I get to post about cruising 29 Aug. We are an Air Force family that had to move up our cruise from Oct due to DH receiving deployment orders.

We are traveling with DH's sister and her family, and DH's father and his wife.

Ages of children are 4, 8 and 14, all girls. The 8 and 14 year old have cruised on Disney before, but it'll be first time for 4 year old.

We would love to decorate our cabin doors this time, and would love if ya'll would share your ideas with us. Thanks.

 

[jel0511]

I’m so ready for this vacation. I’m a big planner. I like to know what I’m doing and when. Many of you have expressed interest in going ashore as a group, or should I say a party!

If you want to book excursions with Disney you have 28 days to do it online.

Tuesday we’ll be in St. Maarten for most of the day. We dock at The A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.

RCCL’s Liberty of the Seas will be in port with us that day. She arrives after us and brings thousands of passengers. The area can get very busy with two ships in port.

We plan to get off the ship around 10 a.m. I would like to meet on Deck 9 by the Goofy pool, starboard at 9:45 a.m.

We’re taking a water taxi from the dock area. A water taxi operates between the cruise pier and downtown Philipsburg; cost is $3 each way (a roundtrip discount price of $5 is often available), CASH ONLY! If you do not want to use the water taxi you can walk to the Front Street area. It's about 15 minutes.

The water taxi takes you to the Front Street boardwalk. There you’ll find duty free shopping, restaurants, bars and Great Bay beach. After some shopping we’re planning lunch at a beach front restaurant, then off to the beach. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent on the beach. Last visit we got 2 chairs, 1 umbrella and two Heinekens for $10 CASH ONLY!

Once you get to Philipsburg, most everything is in 5 to 20 minute walking distance, including the ship.

If you’re interested in jewelry shopping I like St. Maarten better than St. Thomas, this is MY opinion. I have a jeweler on Front Street, he’s very good. He gives me good prices, options for U.S. Customs, and a wonderful selection of quality pieces. Please feel free to explore the shopping area. You’ll find inexpensive liquor (nice to buy small bottles for onboard), diamonds, gold, electronics, souvenirs, etc. If you’re shopping for jewelry like me (I love blue diamonds), I can be of some assistance. I worked in a high end jewelry store for years.

I’ll put a similar post together for St. Thomas. We’re planning a day trip to Meghan’s Bay.

Sounds like a good time. We plan on going over to Maho Beach to watch the planes land. Since I don't think they start coming in until afternoon, we might just stay onboard until after lunch, enjoy some quiet time onboard than head over to Maho. Who knows, we might go shopping in the AM, if I can convince DH......

 

[Waltworshiper]

This is my first ever post to the DIS boards, and lucky me, I get to post about cruising 29 Aug. We are an Air Force family that had to move up our cruise from Oct due to DH receiving deployment orders.

We are traveling with DH's sister and her family, and DH's father and his wife.

Ages of children are 4, 8 and 14, all girls. The 8 and 14 year old have cruised on Disney before, but it'll be first time for 4 year old.

We would love to decorate our cabin doors this time, and would love if ya'll would share your ideas with us. Thanks.

Welcome to our group!If you go to the main forum board and scroll down, you will see a creative disign thread. They have lots of disigns you can use to make magnets to decorate your door. The disigners there are great and will personalize anything for you, but check it out soon, sometimes they get lots of requests and it may take time to get to yours. Some also post blanks of their disigns that you can personalize yourself. Then you will just need to get some magnetic paper and print them out, and you'll have a beautiful door!

 

[Waltworshiper]

Since we're 30 days out I figure it's time to start watching the Atlantic. I'll post regular updates based on the NHC.

The 2009 Atlantic Hurricane season has been very quiet, too quiet if you ask me. Keep your fingers crossed.

Let's hope it stays this way...

Thanks for the updates, keep them coming and we will be keeping our fingers crossed for smooth sailing!

 

[cruizer67]

Welcome to our group!If you go to the main forum board and scroll down, you will see a creative disign thread. They have lots of disigns you can use to make magnets to decorate your door. The disigners there are great and will personalize anything for you, but check it out soon, sometimes they get lots of requests and it may take time to get to yours. Some also post blanks of their disigns that you can personalize yourself. Then you will just need to get some magnetic paper and print them out, and you'll have a beautiful door!

Thank you for responding so quickly, I will definitely research that forum.

 

[4everluvDisney]

I’m so ready for this vacation. I’m a big planner. I like to know what I’m doing and when. Many of you have expressed interest in going ashore as a group, or should I say a party!

If you want to book excursions with Disney you have 28 days to do it online.

Tuesday we’ll be in St. Maarten for most of the day. We dock at The A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.

RCCL’s Liberty of the Seas will be in port with us that day. She arrives after us and brings thousands of passengers. The area can get very busy with two ships in port.

We plan to get off the ship around 10 a.m. I would like to meet on Deck 9 by the Goofy pool, starboard at 9:45 a.m.

We’re taking a water taxi from the dock area. A water taxi operates between the cruise pier and downtown Philipsburg; cost is $3 each way (a roundtrip discount price of $5 is often available), CASH ONLY! If you do not want to use the water taxi you can walk to the Front Street area. It's about 15 minutes.

The water taxi takes you to the Front Street boardwalk. There you’ll find duty free shopping, restaurants, bars and Great Bay beach. After some shopping we’re planning lunch at a beach front restaurant, then off to the beach. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent on the beach. Last visit we got 2 chairs, 1 umbrella and two Heinekens for $10 CASH ONLY!

Once you get to Philipsburg, most everything is in 5 to 20 minute walking distance, including the ship.

If you’re interested in jewelry shopping I like St. Maarten better than St. Thomas, this is MY opinion. I have a jeweler on Front Street, he’s very good. He gives me good prices, options for U.S. Customs, and a wonderful selection of quality pieces. Please feel free to explore the shopping area. You’ll find inexpensive liquor (nice to buy small bottles for onboard), diamonds, gold, electronics, souvenirs, etc. If you’re shopping for jewelry like me (I love blue diamonds), I can be of some assistance. I worked in a high end jewelry store for years.

I’ll put a similar post together for St. Thomas. We’re planning a day trip to Meghan’s Bay.

As far as cash, we are talking US$ aren't we?

 

[racheltatt]

I’m so ready for this vacation. I’m a big planner. I like to know what I’m doing and when. Many of you have expressed interest in going ashore as a group, or should I say a party!

If you want to book excursions with Disney you have 28 days to do it online.

Tuesday we’ll be in St. Maarten for most of the day. We dock at The A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.

RCCL’s Liberty of the Seas will be in port with us that day. She arrives after us and brings thousands of passengers. The area can get very busy with two ships in port.

We plan to get off the ship around 10 a.m. I would like to meet on Deck 9 by the Goofy pool, starboard at 9:45 a.m.

We’re taking a water taxi from the dock area. A water taxi operates between the cruise pier and downtown Philipsburg; cost is $3 each way (a roundtrip discount price of $5 is often available), CASH ONLY! If you do not want to use the water taxi you can walk to the Front Street area. It's about 15 minutes.

The water taxi takes you to the Front Street boardwalk. There you’ll find duty free shopping, restaurants, bars and Great Bay beach. After some shopping we’re planning lunch at a beach front restaurant, then off to the beach. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent on the beach. Last visit we got 2 chairs, 1 umbrella and two Heinekens for $10 CASH ONLY!

Once you get to Philipsburg, most everything is in 5 to 20 minute walking distance, including the ship.

If you’re interested in jewelry shopping I like St. Maarten better than St. Thomas, this is MY opinion. I have a jeweler on Front Street, he’s very good. He gives me good prices, options for U.S. Customs, and a wonderful selection of quality pieces. Please feel free to explore the shopping area. You’ll find inexpensive liquor (nice to buy small bottles for onboard), diamonds, gold, electronics, souvenirs, etc. If you’re shopping for jewelry like me (I love blue diamonds), I can be of some assistance. I worked in a high end jewelry store for years.

I’ll put a similar post together for St. Thomas. We’re planning a day trip to Meghan’s Bay.

How is the snorkeling at Great Bay Beach? Matt wants to snorkel, while I take one for the team and watch and perform quality control on the drinks.

 

[racheltatt]

This is my first ever post to the DIS boards, and lucky me, I get to post about cruising 29 Aug. We are an Air Force family that had to move up our cruise from Oct due to DH receiving deployment orders.

We are traveling with DH's sister and her family, and DH's father and his wife.

Ages of children are 4, 8 and 14, all girls. The 8 and 14 year old have cruised on Disney before, but it'll be first time for 4 year old.

We would love to decorate our cabin doors this time, and would love if ya'll would share your ideas with us. Thanks.

Welcome aboard. This is our pre-deployment vacation as well. Can't wait...
I use google images a lot to find designs for magnets as well and then put together in adobe photoshop

 

[Thetowlers]

Of course!

Nothing too formal, we can all meet and hit the islands together. Especially St. Thomas, going by taxi to Meghan's Bay will be a blast!

I warn you now, I love to shop and drink and I don't mean bottled water.

Speaking of Drinking......We were on the 4 night Bahama cruise last December and prchased the Beer Mugs. Can we reuse them on this trip?? Are they the same mugs on both ships?? Have you or your DH but them before ???

 

[Cigy7]

You can "rent" a stroller from guest services. They put a $200 deposit on your stateroom account. It's a jogging stroller, great shape and folds for storage. Don't bother bringing one. Ask your room stewart and they will tuck it away for you at nigth.

Also, strollers and wagons are available for FREE when you get off the ship on CC. We always grab a wagon.

Are there always strollers available ? My wife and are thinking about bringing a little umbrella one.We really didn't want to drag one if not necessary.

 

[Waltworshiper]

Speaking of Drinking......We were on the 4 night Bahama cruise last December and prchased the Beer Mugs. Can we reuse them on this trip?? Are they the same mugs on both ships?? Have you or your DH but them before ???

I believe they are the same as that question has come up quite a bit on the cruise forum board. People often bring them back to use on the next cruise.

 

[Michele325]

I'm debating what to do about a stroller too. I don't want it when I am traveling down on the plane by myself with the 3 kids. And probably don't need it at my parents (are we really walking anywhere long in the heat???), so I thought I would borrow one from the ship. But do we want it for Kennedy Space Center? I can probably do without and will just borrow one (mostly for the shopping at St. Marteen, I am going by myself with ds 4 while Dh and older 2 go snorkeling).

 

[Michele325]

Ok, so I am ordering Goofy shirts from Disney that say The Goofy 5 on them. I am either going to surprise the kids with them being in our cabin or we will wear them to the port. We usually get the kids matching shirts at Disney. So the questions is.... Do I get them for DH and me too? Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't match them.

Disney has a good deal right now, personalized Ts are only $15.

 

[annieL]

I’m so ready for this vacation. I’m a big planner. I like to know what I’m doing and when. Many of you have expressed interest in going ashore as a group, or should I say a party!

If you want to book excursions with Disney you have 28 days to do it online.

Tuesday we’ll be in St. Maarten for most of the day. We dock at The A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.

RCCL’s Liberty of the Seas will be in port with us that day. She arrives after us and brings thousands of passengers. The area can get very busy with two ships in port.

We plan to get off the ship around 10 a.m. I would like to meet on Deck 9 by the Goofy pool, starboard at 9:45 a.m.

We’re taking a water taxi from the dock area. A water taxi operates between the cruise pier and downtown Philipsburg; cost is $3 each way (a roundtrip discount price of $5 is often available), CASH ONLY! If you do not want to use the water taxi you can walk to the Front Street area. It's about 15 minutes.

you sound like my knid of girl! A compulsive planner and you like to have fun! I would love to tag along with you when you go ashore! It is our first time cruising and our first time to St. Marteen and St Thomas. I was hoping to do some shopping and hit the beach just like you. Great minds must think alike.

 

[TVEPFOX]

As far as cash, we are talking US$ aren't we?

Yes Ma'ma, goold ole American Green Backs! We don't need to exchange our money.

 

[TVEPFOX]

How is the snorkeling at Great Bay Beach? Matt wants to snorkel, while I take one for the team and watch and perform quality control on the drinks.

Yes, Matt can snorkel. The water is crystal clear at Great Bay. The beach is very clean and the sand is soft (no coral). The best snorkeling of the trip, without going out of your way will be Castaway Cay. There's a man made wreck on the family beach and the water off the adult beach is full of sea life. My avatar is a starfish DH found on the adults side of CC.

Racheltatt, I volunteer to help you perform quality control on the drinks.

 

[TVEPFOX]

Speaking of Drinking......We were on the 4 night Bahama cruise last December and prchased the Beer Mugs. Can we reuse them on this trip?? Are they the same mugs on both ships?? Have you or your DH but them before ???

I believe Sharon is right, bring your beer mugs back.

Sorry, DH and I don't drink a lot of beer. He breaks out from it.

I like beer on my cheerios.

But, I prefer prefer martinis.

 

[TVEPFOX]

Are there always strollers available ? My wife and are thinking about bringing a little umbrella one.We really didn't want to drag one if not necessary.

Yes, I believe strollers are always available. You can rent them from guest services, they keep them in a storage area behind the desk. You get it for the week. We used ours in St. Marteen, it was great! I would probably get one early on just in case.

 

[TVEPFOX]

Ok, so I am ordering Goofy shirts from Disney that say The Goofy 5 on them. I am either going to surprise the kids with them being in our cabin or we will wear them to the port. We usually get the kids matching shirts at Disney. So the questions is.... Do I get them for DH and me too? Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't match them.

Disney has a good deal right now, personalized Ts are only $15.

Get them for everyone and wear them on the ship. Make sure you have your family photo taken when you board. It will make for nice memories.

 

[TVEPFOX]

I’m so ready for this vacation. I’m a big planner. I like to know what I’m doing and when. Many of you have expressed interest in going ashore as a group, or should I say a party!

If you want to book excursions with Disney you have 28 days to do it online.

Tuesday we’ll be in St. Maarten for most of the day. We dock at The A.C. Wathey Pier & Port Facility in Philipsburg on the Dutch side of the island.

RCCL’s Liberty of the Seas will be in port with us that day. She arrives after us and brings thousands of passengers. The area can get very busy with two ships in port.

We plan to get off the ship around 10 a.m. I would like to meet on Deck 9 by the Goofy pool, starboard at 9:45 a.m.

We’re taking a water taxi from the dock area. A water taxi operates between the cruise pier and downtown Philipsburg; cost is $3 each way (a roundtrip discount price of $5 is often available), CASH ONLY! If you do not want to use the water taxi you can walk to the Front Street area. It's about 15 minutes.

you sound like my knid of girl! A compulsive planner and you like to have fun! I would love to tag along with you when you go ashore! It is our first time cruising and our first time to St. Marteen and St Thomas. I was hoping to do some shopping and hit the beach just like you. Great minds must think alike.

Good deal annieL! You're my kind of girl too! You will love the beauty of St. Marteen and St. Thomas.