December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[kcashner]

My family wants to participate but we wont have our cabin numbers until after we board for the cruise. How can we participate?

Hi, my name is Kathryn and I am a DCL addict. I'm booked on this cruise just because I'm addicted and this is the week DD can go. We just got back from a Western last week.

We've done several fish extender groups on our various cruises. How they work is totally up to the group. I've seen the term "dis-tag" used, but not in relation to fish extenders. This is usually applied when one or more people have an object that they are trying to have all the dis-board people sign. Most recently we had a large magnet appear on our door with a request that we sign it and move it to the door of another Dis member...and ultimately return it to cabin XYZ. Fish extender gifts can be done per person or per cabin. Typically they are done once during the cruise, but I've been on cruises where small gifts were left several times (depending on the number of cabins/people involved, this can be a LOT of work!) Typically the gifts are small in size and value, but we were on one cruise where the organizer wanted to set a maximum price per cabin (I thought their max was high....but whatever). Typical FE gifts are little baggies with pirate tatoos, eye patches, candies, note pads, pens, glow sticks, highlighters, etc. Some people get very crafty and do door magnets, CDs, picture frames etc. personalized to our cruise. It's really fun to come back to the room and see that you got a "treat."

As to not knowing your cabin until you board--I'm not sure why you feel this way. Most of the gty cabins are given assignments about 30 days before sailing. Yes, they can always be changed. What usually happens is that one person volunteers to set up the FE group. People who want to participate sign up by a deadline date (usually 2-4 weeks before the cruise so that we can buy our gifts). The organizer sends out an e-mail list of participants--ages, cabin numbers, first names. Then we arrange a time for a Dis-meet--usually after boarding on the first day. Anyone who has cabin changes notifies the organizer at that time and the info is shared with everyone. People can have changes because they were "pixie dusted" or because they were able to purchase an upgrade at the port. All the Dis people are welcome to attend the Dis meet whether they are doing FE or not--it is a time to briefly see each other and leads to more recognition during the cruise.

OK...I'll have to read thru the 11 pages and get up to speed with you guys (I can't join a thread until it is my "next" cruise--otherwise I get WAY too confused!

 

[bevtoy]

Thanks for all the info . When we went on our last cruise they called it DISer tag and some used fish extenders and some did not.

The array of gifts was amazing from little baggies of goodies, home made Cd's, some gifted tiny bottles of alcohol, goo-goo clusters, one lady left a bag of Asian gifts with a tiny fan magnet for the refrigerator, and some left movie size boxed candy.

Thanks for letting me know about the room number I didn't know when it was assigned and I thought they were letting us know when we arrive at the ship.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Good evening - sorry this took so long - had an industrial accident at work and fortunately the employee is ok - here are the current Florida resident rates for several days - pricing is per day


Days Price Per Day

Ages Ages
10+ 3-9

1 Day Ticket $67.50 $56.70
3 Day Ticket $43.00 $36.00
4 Day Ticket $40.00 $33.75
5 Day Ticket $39.00 $32.20
6 Day Ticket $35.00 $28.33
7 Day Ticket $30.43 $24.71

Still looking at the cruises for next year as to the European capitals - would love to book one just can't decide what fits in the budget.

Karen

Thanks Karen for getting the information. Is this park hopper or not? The prices are substantially cheaper. How far do you live from WDW? We'll be in Ft. Lauderdale for a few days before we head to WDW. I don't want it to be any trouble.

Thanks!

Scooby

 

[Floridasunshine]

Hi - sorry I have not been on line for a while - no these are not park hopper rates. These are order on line actually - I live approximately 45 minutes from the parks which is great. If I can help let me know -traveling to the Carolinas early part of this week for work.
Thank you,
Karen

 

[momtomari]

i just got off the june 13th western carribean and rebooked this one. i hope that i can go as i want to take my dd6 but we are also going on the eb transatlantic and im not sure they will let her miss 3 weeks of school

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Glad we are picking up some more people. Please remember to PM me if you are interested in the Fish Extender Gift Exchange.

We are in need of a name. I have seen a suggestion here. Please PM me some suggestions and I will set up a poll for us to decide. We currently have
A MAGICal Jouney to Neverland. I bet some of you have a hidden talent for names.

Can't wait to meet everyone. Don't worry if you do not have your cabin assignments yet. Even If you change at the Port I will have an updated list on my door. (but even I may have a change we have added another cabin so we are up to 3 and they are all CAT 12) but we will have a plan in place to handle all room changes.

Anyone traveling down before the trip? We are attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party the night before the cruise. This would be a great time to meet up say around 5PM somewhere in the Magic Kingdom. Any ideas?

 

[Floridasunshine]

You can count us in for the fish extender gift exchange. I was booked on this cruise with my daughter. She has invited a friend of hers from the New England area to fly in and join us. Her friend has never been on a cruise and is so excited. I loved the last cruise so much that I can't wait to go again. It is the first time in years where I felt like this was a real vacation. I am already racking my brain for a different type of gift to exchange. Not sure how many I need to gather as I an anxious to get started. Do you have any idea a typical number of families who participate?

On our last cruise my daughter and I played bingo and she won $495 - she was feeling lucky that day. Last time we did not get to go to Cozomel due to the restrictions but we are hopeful we will get that stop on this cruise. We will be traveling over the night before to stay locally at a hotel as it helps with the cost of parking the car. My daughter also has her company Christmas party the night before the cruise so I know it will be late. Please let me know if there is anything else I need to be doing. Counting the days.
Karen
Amber 24
Stacy 24

 

[bevtoy]

I PM'd that my family wants to play. We have 2 GTY reservations with 2 peeps per room.... I love Fish Extender gifts and have a collection already growing!

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I PM'd that my family wants to play. We have 2 GTY reservations with 2 peeps per room.... I love Fish Extender gifts and have a collection already growing!

I've started collecting also. I try to do per person and we have three cabins on this cruise so I have alot to collect. Finding all the neat stuff is half the fun. Trying to deliver and not get caught is fun to. How am I going to make another 5 months and 3 days until we leave?????

 

[bevtoy]

I've started collecting also. I try to do per person and we have three cabins on this cruise so I have alot to collect. Finding all the neat stuff is half the fun. Trying to deliver and not get caught is fun to. How am I going to make another 5 months and 3 days until we leave?????

I would suggest you shop to keep yourself occupied.

 

[Floridasunshine]

When you start gathering the gift exchange items - typically how many individuals or rooms do you plan for until you get the final count? Is 100 to many 50 not enough - just getting excited and wanted to start -sure wish the time would pass by more quickly to Dec.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I'd be interested in this fish extender thingy but I'd a little wary of getting stuff that, well.... let me put it this way...I am a pack rat. No matter what, I keep everything because there's got to be SOME memory or sentiment attached to it even if I don't see the item againf or 20 years. LOL Example: if somebody gave me a Mickey Mouse pad of stickies, I'd probably end up saving it for eternity and never using it because it'll remind me of the cruise. <sigh> I know, I know... I need help but I can't be the only one with this problem!!!

I'll have to think about this...but will probably join in ... if not for just the stealthy fun of it.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I have a question. We're going to arrive in Orlando about 2 days before the cruise ... mainly because I'm paranoid so this gives us a 2 day window in case there's a snow storm up here. I don't want to rent a car this trip so I was hoping to get a couple of rooms at one of the resorts. My travel agent has had no luck getting me any room at what I would call an affordable price. Since we're only staying 2 nights, I had been hoping to get one of the deluxe resorts near Epcot but the most "affordable" one is AKL.

Does anybody have any suggestions or tips?

 

[Scooby3x1y]

When you start gathering the gift exchange items - typically how many individuals or rooms do you plan for until you get the final count? Is 100 to many 50 not enough - just getting excited and wanted to start -sure wish the time would pass by more quickly to Dec.

Assume in that range. The first WC, it was around 60; the Med was I think 83, so I think it will just depend. I did one thing for the cabins (for adults), and each child got something from us. I just went to the dollar store and got the Disney frisbee's, that came 3 to a pack. Think party favors for the kids (IMHO). Sticky balls, hands, etc. This time, I will be giving Disney pencils to the kids, and a scrapbook thing for the adults in the cabin.

 

[bevtoy]

gone

 

[itutorfortravel]

Okay, I took the semi-plunge and put 2 cabins on hold for this cruise...one for DH, DD, and me and one for my in-laws if we can convince them to go!

We booked cat 12's and the price is great! We did the same at spring break this year and got a nice upgrade that week. Hopefully we will be as lucky on this cruise if we go ahead and put down the deposit.

My only concern is that DD will miss a full week of school. But she'll be in 2nd grade and that week will probably be mostly parties and such. I doubt they get much done with the kids one week before Christmas - it's mostly just "crowd control" at that point since the kids are bouncing off the walls! LOL!

I really want to cruise when we can enjoy the holiday decorations and activities. I originally thought about booking Christmas 2010 and it's still on my radar, but I could go on 2- 3 cruises for the same price as one of those! I'm too much of a bargain shopper and it hurts my feelings to spend more than I have to

Hope we get to meet all of you! Anyone sailed during the holidays before? Our DD will be almost 8 and so I am interested in what they do for the kids her age...

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Okay, I took the semi-plunge and put 2 cabins on hold for this cruise...one for DH, DD, and me and one for my in-laws if we can convince them to go!

We booked cat 12's and the price is great! We did the same at spring break this year and got a nice upgrade that week. Hopefully we will be as lucky on this cruise if we go ahead and put down the deposit.

My only concern is that DD will miss a full week of school. But she'll be in 2nd grade and that week will probably be mostly parties and such. I doubt they get much done with the kids one week before Christmas - it's mostly just "crowd control" at that point since the kids are bouncing off the walls! LOL!

I really want to cruise when we can enjoy the holiday decorations and activities. I originally thought about booking Christmas 2010 and it's still on my radar, but I could go on 2- 3 cruises for the same price as one of those! I'm too much of a bargain shopper and it hurts my feelings to spend more than I have to

Hope we get to meet all of you! Anyone sailed during the holidays before? Our DD will be almost 8 and so I am interested in what they do for the kids her age...

I'm with you. I'd rather go the following week, but couldn't beat the deal we got. We got our Cat. 12's for 3 people for $2,100, plus a $100 Costco gift card. And the price went up $4,000 for the following week. I guess I'm the bargain shopper with you!

As for your dd missing school, I don't think it is a big deal. (IMHO) If she thinks it is, point out what she'll be doing and the other kids won't. (Most of my kids classmates knew what they were leaving for, and they brought back souveniers and pictures that they showed and presented to the class.) If her teacher thinks it's a big deal, show her the things she will be learning about while your gone that she wouldn't get in any other curriculum in the school. (and she can make up work) If it's you stressing.....you're right, parties, getting ready for parties, etc..... Wait till their teenagers, it's really hard taking them out. I have two in H.S., one in Jr. High, that will miss a week. My college Freshman will have finals that week, so we're hoping he can rearrange any that he might have the Friday we need to leave.

Anyone else tentatively planning to go on the Baltic Capitals next year?

 

[itutorfortravel]

I'm with you. I'd rather go the following week, but couldn't beat the deal we got. We got our Cat. 12's for 3 people for $2,100, plus a $100 Costco gift card. And the price went up $4,000 for the following week. I guess I'm the bargain shopper with you!

As for your dd missing school, I don't think it is a big deal. (IMHO) If she thinks it is, point out what she'll be doing and the other kids won't. (Most of my kids classmates knew what they were leaving for, and they brought back souveniers and pictures that they showed and presented to the class.) If her teacher thinks it's a big deal, show her the things she will be learning about while your gone that she wouldn't get in any other curriculum in the school. (and she can make up work) If it's you stressing.....you're right, parties, getting ready for parties, etc..... Wait till their teenagers, it's really hard taking them out. I have two in H.S., one in Jr. High, that will miss a week. My college Freshman will have finals that week, so we're hoping he can rearrange any that he might have the Friday we need to leave.

Anyone else tentatively planning to go on the Baltic Capitals next year?

Hi Scooby! Thanks for the reassurance about school I figure it's not a big deal in 2nd grade. Probably not a big deal in elementary school in general, but once the kids hit 3rd grade here they have yearly testing for promotion so I will be much more hesitant to do something like this after this year. My only worry is too many absences and jeopardizing promotion. We get up to 20 so I guess I shouldn't stress but I am the perpetual worrier I suppose!

I hear ya about taking them out when they are older! I tutor kids in middle and high school math and the pressures they have on them especially in high school would make me very concerned to take my DD out at that point. I know there are kids that can do it but I think the stress of make up work would just take away some of the enjoyment of the trip (for us anyway). They are really really strict about missing days here at the high school level so I better get in all the family trips I can now while I still have some flexibility.

I asked DD today whether she would rather go on a Disney Cruise again or back to WDW. We haven't been to WDW in almost 2 years and we just went on a Disney cruise in April so I wasn't sure what she would say, but she was insistent that she wants to cruise again versus going to WDW. We're not going to tell her about the cruise until it's time to go (if we go), but I just wanted to get her general feeling. When we go to WDW we always rent a condo offsite (we have a way to get one very cheap) and so it's a very laid back and relaxing vacation since we go in the off season (we were thinking January 2010 this next time around). I miss WDW but we've been 4 or 5 times in the past 5 years and the last time we went it was a little too familiar. It still captured my heart but wasn't as "magical" as it had been before - dare I say that one a DISboard?! So maybe the cruise is the better choice for us. We couldn't do a WDW trip for a whole lot less than we can do this cruise, so maybe we should just go for it...

I think our cruise price is pretty much what you got too if yours didn't include the travel insurance. I currently have a DCL cruise booked for next spring break that I booked onboard this past April for the discount and OBC. While I know I would not get a discount on a cat 12 for the December cruise, I could get the OBC if I am willing to transfer my existing reservation. However, I have a really good room booked for spring break and so I am not sure I want to move my reservation right now. I knew there was a good reason to book more than one cruise when we were onboard this year - DARNIT!!! As you can see I've got a lot to think about...

 

[momtomari]

Hi Scooby! Thanks for the reassurance about school I figure it's not a big deal in 2nd grade. Probably not a big deal in elementary school in general, but once the kids hit 3rd grade here they have yearly testing for promotion so I will be much more hesitant to do something like this after this year. My only worry is too many absences and jeopardizing promotion. We get up to 20 so I guess I shouldn't stress but I am the perpetual worrier I suppose!

I hear ya about taking them out when they are older! I tutor kids in middle and high school math and the pressures they have on them especially in high school would make me very concerned to take my DD out at that point. I know there are kids that can do it but I think the stress of make up work would just take away some of the enjoyment of the trip (for us anyway). They are really really strict about missing days here at the high school level so I better get in all the family trips I can now while I still have some flexibility.

I asked DD today whether she would rather go on a Disney Cruise again or back to WDW. We haven't been to WDW in almost 2 years and we just went on a Disney cruise in April so I wasn't sure what she would say, but she was insistent that she wants to cruise again versus going to WDW. We're not going to tell her about the cruise until it's time to go (if we go), but I just wanted to get her general feeling. When we go to WDW we always rent a condo offsite (we have a way to get one very cheap) and so it's a very laid back and relaxing vacation since we go in the off season (we were thinking January 2010 this next time around). I miss WDW but we've been 4 or 5 times in the past 5 years and the last time we went it was a little too familiar. It still captured my heart but wasn't as "magical" as it had been before - dare I say that one a DISboard?! So maybe the cruise is the better choice for us. We couldn't do a WDW trip for a whole lot less than we can do this cruise, so maybe we should just go for it...

I think our cruise price is pretty much what you got too if yours didn't include the travel insurance. I currently have a DCL cruise booked for next spring break that I booked onboard this past April for the discount and OBC. While I know I would not get a discount on a cat 12 for the December cruise, I could get the OBC if I am willing to transfer my existing reservation. However, I have a really good room booked for spring break and so I am not sure I want to move my reservation right now. I knew there was a good reason to book more than one cruise when we were onboard this year - DARNIT!!! As you can see I've got a lot to think about...

hey itutorfortravel i am in the same boat on taking my dd6 out of school for this cruise she will be in 1st grade. the issue that i have is we are booked for the eastbound transatlantic in april 2010 as a family not just the 2 of us. if i do decide to take this cruise she will end up missing 15 days of school. what do you think?? i do agree that really at that time of year they are not learning very much. we need to come up with ideas that this will be educational.

we just got off the western on June 20th and I already know the excursions I want to do this time. Key West-Parasail Grand Cayamn- Turtle Farm and Cozumel - zipline i was able to snag a category 12 when i got back for this dec 12-19 at 1680 for the 2 of us. also this would be right after exams for myself.

 

[itutorfortravel]

hey itutorfortravel i am in the same boat on taking my dd6 out of school for this cruise she will be in 1st grade. the issue that i have is we are booked for the eastbound transatlantic in april 2010 as a family not just the 2 of us. if i do decide to take this cruise she will end up missing 15 days of school. what do you think?? i do agree that really at that time of year they are not learning very much. we need to come up with ideas that this will be educational.

we just got off the western on June 20th and I already know the excursions I want to do this time. Key West-Parasail Grand Cayamn- Turtle Farm and Cozumel - zipline i was able to snag a category 12 when i got back for this dec 12-19 at 1680 for the 2 of us. also this would be right after exams for myself.

Hi momtomari! I had also thought about the EBTA next April but I was hesitant about the 2 weeks out of school. Our district is very persnickety (msp?) about missed days, and our principal is not very flexible or understanding...so there is no way I could take my DD out of school for 15 days. You are very lucky that your school will support your doing it. I absolutely don't think there will be anything going on in your DD's class the week before Christmas. Last year in 1st grade it was all about parties in my DD's class and teachers just trying to make it through the day! The kids were literally bouncing off the walls!

We cruised over our spring break this year and it was honestly nice not to have to worry about absences. But we got lucky on that trip and snagged a cat 12. It wasn't as cheap as this December cruise, but nonetheless, it was a great deal for being Easter week.

We did the Eastern itinerary over spring break, which I loved! DH and I have been to the Western ports before, but DD has only been to Grand Cayman not KWF or Cozumel. We went on a land-based vacation to Grand Cayman a couple years ago and it was fabulous! The turtle farm is a lot of fun We also liked going to Stingray City out of Rum Point. I'd like to hear more about those excursions you mentioned in the other ports.

I would just love to see DCL over the holidays. We've done WDW a couple times in mid-December and it's a magical place at that time of year so I'd like to see how DCL celebrates. I just can't bring myself to pay what they charge for the actual week of Christmas...

I think I'm going to put down our deposit for this cruise and then mull it over for a couple months. I was able to grab a cat 12 so I don't want to take the chance of losing it. I think the PIF date is near the end of September, which will give me some time to get to know DD's teacher and how I think she will be about our missing the time. I may also ask a couple teachers who are friends of mine what they think about that in 2nd grade. I'm sure I am over-analyzing the situation but that is my nature to do that - LOL!

Hope it works out for all of us!