Christmas cruise 2010

[itutorfortravel]

Hello! Thought I'd post here to say hi. This cruise and the 11 nite are on my radar right now and I am having a tough time deciding. The practical side of me (if you can call it that considering DCL prices in general!) is telling me to do this cruise vs. the 11 nite, but I like the Eastern ports so I don't know....

Anyone here done the Western ports with children? My DD will be 8 so I am wondering what she would find fun. DH and I have done all these islands either by boat or plane. DD has also been to Grand Cayman on a land based trip and loved it.

Also, have any of you done a Christmas cruise on DCL?

Sometimes I price out other lines and I am tempted to try something else. Celebrity has a new ship coming out and their prices are much less. I've also looked at Princess and HAL. Anyone have experience with their kids' clubs for the 8 year old crowd? I just don't know if we would enjoy another line as much, we are pretty loyal to the Mouse! And even though saving a couple thousand dollars is nothing to sneeze at, if we have less than a wonderful time, it's still a lot of money to spend on a holiday cruise on another line if you know what I mean...

Oh, decisions decisions! LOL!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hello! Thought I'd post here to say hi. This cruise and the 11 nite are on my radar right now and I am having a tough time deciding. The practical side of me (if you can call it that considering DCL prices in general!) is telling me to do this cruise vs. the 11 nite, but I like the Eastern ports so I don't know....

Anyone here done the Western ports with children? My DD will be 8 so I am wondering what she would find fun. DH and I have done all these islands either by boat or plane. DD has also been to Grand Cayman on a land based trip and loved it.

Also, have any of you done a Christmas cruise on DCL?

Sometimes I price out other lines and I am tempted to try something else. Celebrity has a new ship coming out and their prices are much less. I've also looked at Princess and HAL. Anyone have experience with their kids' clubs for the 8 year old crowd? I just don't know if we would enjoy another line as much, we are pretty loyal to the Mouse! And even though saving a couple thousand dollars is nothing to sneeze at, if we have less than a wonderful time, it's still a lot of money to spend on a holiday cruise on another line if you know what I mean...

Oh, decisions decisions! LOL!

Hi!!

I was the founding member of the 11 night dis meet thread, but I 'deffected' over here! For once it my life, I decided to make a financial decision with my head, rather than a costly emotional decision with my heart, and I actually cancelled my 11 night and swapped it to this 7 night a couple of months ago.

I, like you, really wanted the Eastern itinerary (we had previously done a western itnerary on Carnival back in 1996), but I just couldn't justify the cost.

To be honest, I was really hoping that the 11 nighter would have included St Lucia or Antigua and then there would have been no way I'd have cancelled, but Guadaloupe and Martinique, do not really 'grab' me and we have been to barbados before - so really all I wanted to do was the 'regular' eastern ports, in which case, I am going to save those for a couple of years and the new ships!!

Good luck making your choice, it is hard letting go of the 11 night option - in fact I keep popping over to the other thread just to check in now and again!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Hi!!

I was the founding member of the 11 night dis meet thread, but I 'deffected' over here! For once it my life, I decided to make a financial decision with my head, rather than a costly emotional decision with my heart, and I actually cancelled my 11 night and swapped it to this 7 night a couple of months ago.

I, like you, really wanted the Eastern itinerary (we had previously done a western itnerary on Carnival back in 1996), but I just couldn't justify the cost.

To be honest, I was really hoping that the 11 nighter would have included St Lucia or Antigua and then there would have been no way I'd have cancelled, but Guadaloupe and Martinique, do not really 'grab' me and we have been to barbados before - so really all I wanted to do was the 'regular' eastern ports, in which case, I am going to save those for a couple of years and the new ships!!

Good luck making your choice, it is hard letting go of the 11 night option - in fact I keep popping over to the other thread just to check in now and again!

Yes, I remember seeing your posts when I first went over to the 11 nite thread...so I am not the only one rethinking this I'd love to do the 11 nite just to have extra nights on the boat, but we've (DH and I) been to all the ports on both the 11 nite and the 7 nite sailings except for Guadelope, so it's not like we will see much that is new. DD has been on the standard Eastern ports plus a land-based vacation to Grand Cayman, so both the Western and Southern cruises would offer her new experiences. The Eastern ports definitely appeal to me more, but you have a good idea about doing those on the new ships, tho I don't think there will be a new ship doing 7 nite cruises until 2012, right?

DH said if we do the 11 nite that we cannot do another cruise for 3 years. What?! 3 years?! I am having withdrawal after just 2 months...LOL! So maybe the 7 nite is a better option, tho it might still be almost 3 years beyond that before we go again based on when the new ship sails 7 nite cruises. I don't know. DD will be almost 9 by the time this cruise rolls around so it may be that this would be the last time that the Disney stuff will appeal to her. Can you see how I am tormenting myself over this?!

One thing that I like about this sailing is that it is on the Wonder, and we have only been on the Magic. So we would see slightly different decor and that might be fun...

Have you ever been on a holiday cruise on DCL?

Well, I'll get there with my decision...someday!!! Ha ha...right now I have spring break 2010 on hold and I've got a SPH cabin so I don't want to give that up till I know where I want to move the ressie. I booked onboard so I need to keep my discount and OBC.

Good to meet you Amy!

~Kimberly

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Yes, I remember seeing your posts when I first went over to the 11 nite thread...so I am not the only one rethinking this I'd love to do the 11 nite just to have extra nights on the boat, but we've (DH and I) been to all the ports on both the 11 nite and the 7 nite sailings except for Guadelope, so it's not like we will see much that is new. DD has been on the standard Eastern ports plus a land-based vacation to Grand Cayman, so both the Western and Southern cruises would offer her new experiences. The Eastern ports definitely appeal to me more, but you have a good idea about doing those on the new ships, tho I don't think there will be a new ship doing 7 nite cruises until 2012, right?

DH said if we do the 11 nite that we cannot do another cruise for 3 years. What?! 3 years?! I am having withdrawal after just 2 months...LOL! So maybe the 7 nite is a better option, tho it might still be almost 3 years beyond that before we go again based on when the new ship sails 7 nite cruises. I don't know. DD will be almost 9 by the time this cruise rolls around so it may be that this would be the last time that the Disney stuff will appeal to her. Can you see how I am tormenting myself over this?!

One thing that I like about this sailing is that it is on the Wonder, and we have only been on the Magic. So we would see slightly different decor and that might be fun...

Have you ever been on a holiday cruise on DCL?

Well, I'll get there with my decision...someday!!! Ha ha...right now I have spring break 2010 on hold and I've got a SPH cabin so I don't want to give that up till I know where I want to move the ressie. I booked onboard so I need to keep my discount and OBC.

Good to meet you Amy!

~Kimberly

Hi Kimberly!

It is a VERY difficult decision I know - I had a few sleepless nights wondering whether changing would spoil my 'perfect' plan. We have never been to WDW or on DCL over the holidays, and this will probably be our 'once in a lifetime' chance, as DH's job means he can't normally have vacation time in December. So I wanted it to be perfect.

I opted for Disney over other lines, mainly because of the children. I just knew that if we were going to be anywhere other than at home over Christmas, it would have to be disney related!! (I had originally wanted to be at MK for Christmas Day but after reading about the horrific crowds, we decided that the cruise was the only way to go for us).

My two boys are much younger (they will be 6 and 3 when we cruise), but I think boys (possibly more so than girls) grow out of the magic so quickly - and that is why I wanted to get one 'magical' christmas in before they stop believing in the same way. If you think this will be your last chance with your little girl - then I say - go for it!!

I think you might well be right about the new ships, so I am not really sure what to recommend about that!! although if you think they might be sailing in 2012, that will only be 18 months after our cruise, whereas if your DH says you can't do another one for 3 years after the 11 night one, then you would have to wait even longer for your next cruise 'fix' - just a thought!! Oh and the Wonder is beautiful!!

I couldn't give up the DCL Christmas dream altogether, but I do understand how hard it is to make a decision, especially when it is all so expensive!! - Good luck with your decision and let me know what you decide!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Amy, your boys are the perfect age to do this! How are you going to handle the whole Santa thing? That is another question that is lurking in the back of my mind...

What cat did you book on this cruise if you don't mind my asking? We were in a cat 5 over spring break and loved it! I would probably do a lower cat for this cruise and definitely the 11 nite if we did that, just because the rates are so much higher. DH really loves having a balcony...let's fact it, so do I! But I am pretty much happy to be anywhere on the ship!

~Kimberly

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Amy, your boys are the perfect age to do this! How are you going to handle the whole Santa thing? That is another question that is lurking in the back of my mind...

What cat did you book on this cruise if you don't mind my asking? We were in a cat 5 over spring break and loved it! I would probably do a lower cat for this cruise and definitely the 11 nite if we did that, just because the rates are so much higher. DH really loves having a balcony...let's fact it, so do I! But I am pretty much happy to be anywhere on the ship!

~Kimberly

I am going to see what they ask for on their letter to santa and then depending on the sizes of the gifts will determine if I bring them with me or not!! Someone on another board said they were taking a photo of the pile of presents under the tree at home and putting it with a letter from Santa - which may be an option for anything bigger!!

I have already told Kai, my eldest that we will be having Christmas on the boat and that Santa will only bring little presents to the boat but that we will celebrate again when we get back with the grand parents - he likes the idea of having two Christmases, (who wouldn't!!) so I think we will be ok!!

We went with a starboard Cat 6 (near aft elevators) - we went on a 3 night last year with just a window, and really missed our verandah - no way will we be cruising again without one - especially while the children are still small - we need somewhere to sit while they are sleeping!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Amy, do you think that since this cruise is on the Wonder that the shows like Toy Story will be shown or do you think the standard 7 nite shows will be shown?

Like I said, we haven't been on the Wonder so I am thinking about how this might feel different than being on the Magic.

Your location sounds great! We were deck 7 aft in April and really liked the location a lot.

What shore excursions do you think your boys will like? I'm not sure about DD, of course it is 18 months away so she will grow up and change a lot by then, but right now she is not the adventurous type so I'm not sure about some of the things that I think look fun and that she will be old enough to do, like the Dune Buggy excursion in Cozumel (wow, do you think I could've written a longer sentence?! LOL!)

I've got a lot of thinking to do! Guess I can't ask for much pity tho in agonizing over this decision!

~Kimberly

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Amy, do you think that since this cruise is on the Wonder that the shows like Toy Story will be shown or do you think the standard 7 nite shows will be shown?

Like I said, we haven't been on the Wonder so I am thinking about how this might feel different than being on the Magic.

Your location sounds great! We were deck 7 aft in April and really liked the location a lot.

What shore excursions do you think your boys will like? I'm not sure about DD, of course it is 18 months away so she will grow up and change a lot by then, but right now she is not the adventurous type so I'm not sure about some of the things that I think look fun and that she will be old enough to do, like the Dune Buggy excursion in Cozumel (wow, do you think I could've written a longer sentence?! LOL!)

I've got a lot of thinking to do! Guess I can't ask for much pity tho in agonizing over this decision!

~Kimberly

I am expecting Toy Story to be there - it is a fantastic show (much better than Hercules imho!!) I am a bit disappointed as I have never seen Twice Charmed on the Magic, so will miss out on that. I imagine on the Wonder we will have Toy Story, Disney Dreams and Golden Mickeys and then I assume it will be cabaret/magicians etc to fill out the other nights - thats just a guess on my part though!!

We are going to do our own walking tour of Key West as we have never been there before and it looks really nice - I know a lot of people don't like it, but we love Florida and have never seen the keys, so I am quite looking forward to it!

We are going to go to 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman and just relax there for a few hours (either with DCL if they offer a lunch inclusive option or just a taxi by ourselves if not) and then we will probably stay on the boat in Mexico. Steve and I did the Tulum ruins back in 1996 which were beautiful but it was so hot and not really suitable for the children - I didn't like Cozumel at all (very touristy) so I think we will make the most of an empty boat!!

I haven't been on the Magic, so can't really compare - but from photos I think that Tritons looks nicer than Lumieres (but that is probably because I prefer the Little Mermaid theme on a boat rather than Beauty & the Beast) - but I think they are both really similar other than that??

 

[Bama4Disney]

[QUOTE=amystevekai≎32327108
We are going to go to 7 mile beach in Grand Cayman and just relax there for a few hours (either with DCL if they offer a lunch inclusive option or just a taxi by ourselves if not) and then we will probably stay on the boat in Mexico. Steve and I did the Tulum ruins back in 1996 which were beautiful but it was so hot and not really suitable for the children - I didn't like Cozumel at all (very touristy) so I think we will make the most of an empty boat!!

Hi all:

We just booked a dummy date on our 5/30/09 Western cruise for this date and are actually thinking of trying to sail then as we have never been on board at Christmas. Our plan was to book as far out as we could which was 12/23/10 and push it out to one of the new ships. Our price that we booked is now $1500 more than what we booked 3 weeks ago. Hopefully it will come down as our 5/30/09 did and we got a great deal.

For Amy, there is a great tour that you could do with the kids in Cozumel at Playa de Mia. Our kids are 8 and 5 ( boys) and they had a blast. There is every water sport you can imagine, a very nice pool with a shallow end and 4 foot at the other along with a pavillion where they serve lunch. Our tour included chairs, umbrellas, water sport things such as kayaks, bicycle boats and snorkel gear. Also included unlimited beverages ( alcohol and non alcohol) We have done it twice it is very nice for the family. It is a resort like atmosphere and you take a bus from the ship and travel about 20 minutes down the road. It is all self contained and no one bothers you. I highly recommend it!

Maybe we will see you all on the Christmas cruise on the Wonder...who knows. We have never been on the Wonder but have done the Magic 4X. Time to start saving and who knows maybe Santa will visit us onboard.

Kevin

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi all:

We just booked a dummy date on our 5/30/09 Western cruise for this date and are actually thinking of trying to sail then as we have never been on board at Christmas. Our plan was to book as far out as we could which was 12/23/10 and push it out to one of the new ships. Our price that we booked is now $1500 more than what we booked 3 weeks ago. Hopefully it will come down as our 5/30/09 did and we got a great deal.

For Amy, there is a great tour that you could do with the kids in Cozumel at Playa de Mia. Our kids are 8 and 5 ( boys) and they had a blast. There is every water sport you can imagine, a very nice pool with a shallow end and 4 foot at the other along with a pavillion where they serve lunch. Our tour included chairs, umbrellas, water sport things such as kayaks, bicycle boats and snorkel gear. Also included unlimited beverages ( alcohol and non alcohol) We have done it twice it is very nice for the family. It is a resort like atmosphere and you take a bus from the ship and travel about 20 minutes down the road. It is all self contained and no one bothers you. I highly recommend it!

Maybe we will see you all on the Christmas cruise on the Wonder...who knows. We have never been on the Wonder but have done the Magic 4X. Time to start saving and who knows maybe Santa will visit us onboard.

Kevin[/QUOTE]

Hi Kevin!!

Thanks for the great info - I am going to save this recommendation as that sounds perfect for us !!

I hope you do decide to join us on the cruise, it will be great to have some more friendly faces on board with us!!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Okay, our family is getting closer to committing to this sailing! I priced it out and it looks like we would be able to do this cruise for essentially the same amount that we will pay to do it over spring break 2010 (less than $200 more anyway)...the only thing stopping me is that I have a SPH cabin reserved for spring break and if we switch to a cat 10 on this sailing there are no SPH cabins available. Boo!!!

I think sailing over Christmas would be so much fun! I love your idea, Kevin, in Cozumel too. Our family definitely needs to check that out as well. Is that a DCL excursion? The dune buggy excursion that DCL currently has looks fun, too, and DD would be old enough. Just not sure if she will be adventurous enough by then! LOL!

So, hopefully I will be able to say we're definitely "in" soon! That 11 night cruise keeps luring me back, BUT that would cost $3500 more and I'm just not sure I want to do that. If we do the 7 night cruise I might also be able to convince DH of a trip to WDW in January...YES!

 

[Bama4Disney]

Okay, our family is getting closer to committing to this sailing! I priced it out and it looks like we would be able to do this cruise for essentially the same amount that we will pay to do it over spring break 2010 (less than $200 more anyway)...the only thing stopping me is that I have a SPH cabin reserved for spring break and if we switch to a cat 10 on this sailing there are no SPH cabins available. Boo!!! :

I think sailing over Christmas would be so much fun! I love your idea, Kevin, in Cozumel too. Our family definitely needs to check that out as well. Is that a DCL excursion? The dune buggy excursion that DCL currently has looks fun, too, and DD would be old enough. Just not sure if she will be adventurous enough by then! LOL!

So, hopefully I will be able to say we're definitely "in" soon! That 11 night cruise keeps luring me back, BUT that would cost $3500 more and I'm just not sure I want to do that. If we do the 7 night cruise I might also be able to convince DH of a trip to WDW in January...YES!

The excursion is a DCL tour..it is called the Beach Break tour. I know you can do it on your own also. You would have to pay for transportation, admission, food and drink separate though. Seems like a hassle as it was all inclusive for us.

I spoke to my wife last night and she said she doesn't want to be away from home on Christmas. She pulled her "wife" veto card so it looks like we wont be on this sailing with yall. I thought it would be fun and the kids might think it was fun that Santa visited them on the ship. Oh well. will keep searching for the date and hope they put the Dream in the 7 day cruise rotation as opposed to the rumor of placing it in the 3/4 night cruise with the replacement of the Wonder.

 

[itutorfortravel]

The excursion is a DCL tour..it is called the Beach Break tour. I know you can do it on your own also. You would have to pay for transportation, admission, food and drink separate though. Seems like a hassle as it was all inclusive for us.

I spoke to my wife last night and she said she doesn't want to be away from home on Christmas. She pulled her "wife" veto card so it looks like we wont be on this sailing with yall. I thought it would be fun and the kids might think it was fun that Santa visited them on the ship. Oh well. will keep searching for the date and hope they put the Dream in the 7 day cruise rotation as opposed to the rumor of placing it in the 3/4 night cruise with the replacement of the Wonder.

I'm so sorry you won't be sailing on this cruise...but I can understand being torn over whether to be gone at the holidays. We currently have spring break 2010 booked and I still haven't moved the reservation to this itinerary. I'm totally excited about the Disney experience at sea on Christmas, but DH isn't so much. I need to work on him a bit more...

I too had the understanding that the first new ship would be doing the 3/4 night cruises so our first opportunity to do a 7 night cruise would be in 2012. While I'd love to see the new ship, I'm not as excited about the shorter length. If we are going to drive all the way to FL, I want it to be for a longer period of time.

Good luck in your decision-making!

 

[Vanvmom]

We just got back home after our 7 night Eastern on the Magic over July 4th, and rebooked (along with the other 2 families we were traveling with) for the Christmas 2010 cruise. We're all excited about it & have traveled during Christmas before, so the kids are already "primed" for the experience. I've done the Magic 3 times, but never the Wonder, and am a little concerned since the Wonder doesn't normally do 7 night cruises - not sure what differences to expect.

 

[MicraPIP]

Wow it's been a while since I last posted... to much time spent on Work, Family, Scuba...

Welcome Wendy

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

Hello Everyone! Man, it has been a while since I checked in. I have been getting things together for my Western comming up shortly, but am really looking forward to this sailing as well! My husband and I just decided to do the NYE cruise as well, so this will be our first B2B! I read some inklings about FE and SM, is anyone interested in doing it this cruise? I think it would be especially fun for the holidays. Christmas will be on a sea day, and I am torn between Palo brunch or dinner (or dinner in the MDR and doing brunch later). If anyone is looking for ideas for excursions on our upcomming Western, my husband and I are parasailing with Fury Watersports in KW, then renting an electric car to tour the island. GC, we are touring Hell and the turtle farm with Captain Marvin's and staying with DCL in Cozumel for the Mexican Tasting Workshop. I hope all of your planning is going well!

 

[jmchone0830]

We just got back on Saturday from our first cruise on the Magic and loved it absolutely every bit of it. We were on the Eastern Caribbean cruise and are looking forward to seeing the ports on the Western. We booked the Christmas 2010 cruise while still on-board and we are really going to try to make this one work. It is quite a bit more expensive then our cruise we just took but I am so excited to spend Christmas with Disney. I have wanted to go to WDW for Christmas but just haven't mostly because of the crowds I keep hearing about it. When my DH and I saw this date, we jumped on it. I'm trying to convince my DH that it would be a great idea to go down a few days early so we can at least see the decorations at WDW. Christmas is our favorite time of year and helps that two of my kids have Dec birthdays too so makes it all the more special. Our gang will be me, DH, DD-8, DS-13 and DS-15 (ages at time of cruise). We would love to join the FE group if you all are doing one as we did it on our last cruise and had a fabulous time with it. Look forward to chatting with you all!!

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hi!!!

We are also on this cruise and are very much hoping for a fish extender and secret santa exchange!! (We've only been on 2 DCL cruises before and there wasn't a FE on either - so really hoping for one this time!!)

We also chose this cruise as we had been wanting to visit WDW over Christmas for years, but have avoided it because of the crowds!!
So the cruise seemed like the perfect solution!!

We have just bought into DVC, so will be staying at WDW for a week or so before the cruise so we will get to see all the decorations and attend Mickeys very merry Christmas party - ready to get us in the mood for the cruise!!

 

[DisneyCruiser83]

jmchone0830 and Amy!

We do not have an official FE or SM set up yet, but I would love to get that going if everyone is interested. I think it would be really fun to do around the holidays. I would also like to know what you all think of a door decorating contest for the holidays? I am open either way, just let me know what you think. I am glad to have some more action on this thread! I know it is a ways away, but hopefully things will liven up! If you haven't read the whole thread, this cruise will be myself, DH and DMiL with DH and I continuing on for the NYE cruise. Is anyone else doing the B2B? I look forward to getting to know you over the next year! Have a great day!

 

[jmchone0830]

Let's get it started then and see how many want to jump on board. We all can get some pretty good discounts on things after this Christmas if we get this started early. I haven't read through all the posts but this is who I think we have so far that has said they are interested. Please send your cabin numbers so we can get the list going. Also, please include ages of kids!!

DisneyCruiser83 - Tess, DH, DMiL
amystevekai&bump - Amy, DH, DS-6, DS-3
jmchone0830 - Josie, DH, DS-15, DS-13, DD-8 (#2138 & #2140)
Carys - Sandra (3 adults)

Any others interested??