December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[pxlbarrel]

How many items can you plug in at a time? No, I'm not being stupid--some adapters take more space than one plug so you can't always plug something next to them. Does everything need to charge every day? Do you want a multi plug on an extension cord so your computer reaches to your bed? The answer to those questions will determine whether your nice small 3 spot will do it or whether you need a 6 outlet power strip.

On my May cruise with 3 teens in my room, it was the big 6.

Ideally, it can take 3 items but more realistically, due to the ridiculous size of some adapters, it will more likely take 2 items. Does everything need to charge everyday? Between my brother and I, we have 3 cameras (1 each and then one I use for video and fast snaps), 1 iPod (can charge using the USB port on the bar) and 1 netbook. And while the batteries don't have to charged every evening... who amongst us wants to risk not having a full battery while out and about on the cruise. On the other hand, 2 of my batteries charge within a couple of hours. LOL

I've got time to look for alternatives that might not take that much more room in my luggage and then decide if it's worth buying something else.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

we have a mini power bar . I think it has 3 outlets - we bought them at ikea i think.

I love Ikea!!!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

How many items can you plug in at a time? No, I'm not being stupid--some adapters take more space than one plug so you can't always plug something next to them. Does everything need to charge every day? Do you want a multi plug on an extension cord so your computer reaches to your bed? The answer to those questions will determine whether your nice small 3 spot will do it or whether you need a 6 outlet power strip.

On my May cruise with 3 teens in my room, it was the big 6.

KC, you're never stupid!

I agree, you may not need them all at once, but....the size of the chargers makes it a pain to have them all at once. And, in the morning when things are charging and you need a blow dryer and curling iron, it can help.

The plug extenders are nice because they'll fit in your shoes when packing. Also, it is nice to have one in the bathroom and one on the desk. Maybe a little smaller than the power stirps/bars.

There is also outlets behind the TV that many don't think about, but I heard they were changing the types of TV's, but one outlet should still be available there besides the one on the desk, the one where the clock is, and the one in the bathrooms.

 

[kcashner]

The one in the bathroom is the worthless room. It has a funky label on it about being for razors only. I don't know what the deal is, but I know it won't charge my phone or my camera. The one on the desk will.

There are outlets behind the bedside tables by the beds. I made one attempt to get back there and decided to forget it--wasn't worth the hassle to me as I had a power strip for the teens.
This makes me want to cruise..now....ah well, guess I have to wait 72 days or whatever it is....

 

[Scooby3x1y]

The one in the bathroom is the worthless room. It has a funky label on it about being for razors only. I don't know what the deal is, but I know it won't charge my phone or my camera. The one on the desk will.

There are outlets behind the bedside tables by the beds. I made one attempt to get back there and decided to forget it--wasn't worth the hassle to me as I had a power strip for the teens.
This makes me want to cruise..now....ah well, guess I have to wait 72 days or whatever it is....

LOL...I agree, I too went for the one that the clock was plugged into, and said forget it. I usually am at the desk because it seems to be the center of me getting ready (so someone else can be in the bathroom) and it is accessible to everyone picking up their charged items.

 

[bevtoy]

"They" dont like like duct tape because terrorists commonly wrap homemade bombs in duct tape. Same with bombs sent through the mail they often wrap their poorly made packs in duct tape (Administration of justice major couldn't help myself LOL) )

kcashner, I really enjoyed reading your post.

duct tape (aka duck tape -- when did that tape became aquatic fowl?) I was wondering about that...you know that some places don't like that in your carry on....

Ok, thanks for clearing up the cone mystery. I thought that was odd...and now, after it's been explained to me, I think it IS odd.

I looked at some of those packing lists and wondered if people were boarding with giant steamer trunks or something. My brother will pack the kitchen sink if you let him but even these lists made him look like a great packer.

 

[pxlbarrel]

I quite like this "device" for power:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1447203&CatId=82

Looks like it'll pack nicely too.

 

[HallsofVA]

Anyone here planning on staying at the Marriott Orlando Airport the night before the cruise? I'd originally booked rooms at the Hyatt using points, then started playing around on Priceline the other day and got the Marriott for $38 for the night (about $50 after taxes and fees.) So I guess we're staying there. We actually stayed there last December before our cruise and it was fine, though we actually got it then for almost twice what we're paying this time.

I was just wondering if anyone else would be there.

I moved our point stays at the Hyatt forward for our January cruise, though I may still use Priceline for that stay as well.

 

[HallsofVA]

I just now realized that my passport expired last month. I thought one of ours was expiring soon, but just *assumed* it was DH's. So I finally pulled them out to check tonight. And yep. My passport expired in August!

So as I was filling out the renewal application tonight I was wondering if there was any value to spending the additional $20 to get the passport card as well. On one hand, it seems easier to carry than the actual passport or a copy on an excursion. On the other hand, if there was a problem where I needed my passport on the excursion, it'd probably be something serious enough to have to retrieve my full passport off the ship anyway. I guess it could be very handy should I ever drive to Canada. Anyone here have a passport card or have any thoughts on it?

 

[HallsofVA]

duplicate post. sorry

 

[Shelebeen]

I just now realized that my passport expired last month. I thought one of ours was expiring soon, but just *assumed* it was DH's. So I finally pulled them out to check tonight. And yep. My passport expired in August!

So as I was filling out the renewal application tonight I was wondering if there was any value to spending the additional $20 to get the passport card as well. On one hand, it seems easier to carry than the actual passport or a copy on an excursion. On the other hand, if there was a problem where I needed my passport on the excursion, it'd probably be something serious enough to have to retrieve my full passport off the ship anyway. I guess it could be very handy should I ever drive to Canada. Anyone here have a passport card or have any thoughts on it?

We don't have the option of a card in Canada... but I am curious as to why you would need it in addition to the book. The book is the world recognized passport form, so other then driving into Canada, what else can you use it for? I would save the $20 and just get the book myself - we travel with them all the time, they aren't really that big.

I just renewed my daughter and my passport last month, they expired in May, but everything we read says they should be good for at least 6 months prior to your travel dates, so we didn't want to chance being turned away or something...

 

[Scooby3x1y]

So as I was filling out the renewal application tonight I was wondering if there was any value to spending the additional $20 to get the passport card as well. On one hand, it seems easier to carry than the actual passport or a copy on an excursion. On the other hand, if there was a problem where I needed my passport on the excursion, it'd probably be something serious enough to have to retrieve my full passport off the ship anyway.

We never carry our passports off the boat.

 

[Juney]

Youth Clubs help ..

Why is there so much conflicting information about the youth clubs on the Magic?

On the website it says Oceaneers Lab on the Magic is 8-10 and Ocean Quest is 11-13.

The DVD said Oceaneers lab is 8-12 and didn't make a distinction between Magic and Wonder and no mention of Ocean Quest.

Today I received the Ship and Shore Vacation Guides and it is Magic specific and it says Oceaneers lab is 8-12 and Ocean Quest is 10-14.

So does anyone know for sure what is going on with the Youth Clubs?

 

[kcashner]

Youth programming....
The problem is that there is a difference between the Magic and the Wonder. What is "Ocean QUest" on the Magic is conference rooms for groups that book cruises on the Wonder.

Magic
Oceaneer's Club ages 3-7
Oceaneer's Lab 8-10
Ocean Quest 11-13
The Stack 14-17/18

The literature will list The Stack as 14-17, but in reality an 18 year old who in in their senior year of high school is allowed to participate. Similarly, people who graduate in May may choose to do Stack programming until they start college in the fall (reality, most don't).

The changes on the Magic were made for several reasons...parents of young teens had concerns about some of the unofficial activities that DO occur in The Stack. Young teens???? My DD at 17 knew when it was time to leave as things were getting inappropriate.

Kids in the Lab were bored after they'd done that program a time or two. SInce many people cruise multiple times, it became an issue. Ocean Quest addressed both those concerns.

Passport card--worthless piece of paper. Every place you can go on a passport card you can also go on a birth certificate and driver's license. No good for flying back to US, so if your idea is to take it into port and leave passport in stateroom, you still don't have the documentation you'll need in an emergency. Yes, I'm aware of the emergency re-patriation regulations. I'd save the money. Passports are now taking 4-6 weeks for new ones, renewals are faster. You have time!

 

[Juney]

I know it's different on the Magic and Wonder and thought I had it all figured out until today. As I said in the other post, the Ship and Shore Vacation Guides says Oceaneers lab is 8-12 and Ocean Quest is 10-14. I'm sure everyone who has paid in full has gotten this by now. If it is Magic specific, why is the packet listing these age groups for the two??

 

[Juney]

Well, my excursions are booked. Unfortunately it looks like both brunch and high tea at Palo are both full.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Well, my excursions are booked. Unfortunately it looks like both brunch and high tea at Palo are both full.

OH no. I wanted tea at Palo. I can't even get into the system right now. It won't let me.

 

[pamrob]

No brunch or tea left last night. I wasn't planning to have dinner at Palo because we were going to dine as a family everynight. My TA is suggesting Pirate Night since the show doesn't start until 10 pm. I originally picked late Sunday evening. Any opinions?

I really want to see the shows as well.

Hoping to get a brunch once onboard.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Ugh, I was so looking forward to having tea in Palo. We paid off the cruise on Saturday but I'm still unable to arrange for anything online. It's telling me that it's unavailable. I'm wondering if it takes time for Disney to process the payment or if my travel agent forgot to pay it or something.

Missing tea is... well, ok but there's a couple of excursions we really want to go on and I don't want to miss out. I guess I could try to get tea ressies when we board...if I'm patient. LOL

Ohhhh...when can I book them???? <sigh>

 

[pamrob]

What time are arriving? You might be able to snag a reservation once onboard.