December 13, 2008 Western Caribbean!! Let's get acquainted!

[PenskeSth1]

Hello everyone,
Welcome dweitzel0 and STLDisney_freak!

I hope you all had a great summer.

Well I sent out DS and DD passport apps the middle of Aug and just received their passports yesterday. Either they are speeding up the process or they just came quicker because they already had passports but they were expired. Either way I was glad they came so soon.

Making a quick trip to WDW this Thursday-Sunday, we are going to MNSSHP and staying at FW. It is just a quick Disney fix but it works.

Reading all the posts and looking at the pictures sure does make ya wish it was Dec 2008. At least we are getting closer, I know when we first made our ressie we were at 24 months.

Michele

 

[dweitzel0]

This Western Caribbean was our second and more logical choice since we can enjoy WDW at Xmas time too... and for WAY less than 11K!

We looked at the repo cruises and even the Mexican Riviera which would have been really convenient since we live in CA, but the prices were CRAZY expensive.

I don't feel at all bad about going to Florida in December though. We have done Disneyland many times during Christmas but never Disney World. We are still not sure if we are going to spend any time at the parks. We tried a land and sea in August and it was exhausting. I plan on making airline reservations in December so I guess we still ahve a few months to make up our minds.

 

[PenskeSth1]

Bumping up to the front.

Hopefully if we keep it somewhat on the first couple pages it will help other cruisers sailing with us find us easier..(if you understand that)

 

[SeaSickPsycho]

I am thinking of booking this cruise for my family. Has anyone done this trip before? What is the best way to get the best rate?

 

[Stinasmom]

I am thinking of booking this cruise for my family. Has anyone done this trip before? What is the best way to get the best rate?

Welcome SeaSick!

Not sure if you have ever cruised before, but as for booking and getting the best price.... Well, I think you will find that the price is pretty consistent between the DCL website and what most travel agents will quote you. The difference could be if a travel agent or agency is able to offer onboard credits or other incentives (like Costco's gift card).

Doesn't hurt to find out thought...
First check the DCL website for their price. You have to decide which category stateroom you want and if you want their insurance and transfers.
Then contact a TA, like Dreams Unlimited who sponsor this website, and ask for a quote.
One thing to know about booking cruises is that unlike booking airline reservations or hotel rooms, Travel agents get a commission from the cruise line... so they WANT your business! Besides, if you don't have tons of time to do all the travel planning they can be very helpful. I do suggest going with an agent who is a Disney specialist.

Also, by booking this cruise (December 13th) vs. the one following which gets into the Christmas holiday time you will save tons of $$!

I haven't cruised the actual Western Caribbean itinerary yet but have sailed on both the Magic and the Wonder. There are great trip reports and lots of information about the ports of call on these forums, however.

If you have any other questions, just ask!

Marcy

 

[PenskeSth1]

Welcome SeaSick!

We have done both the seven day Eastern and the Western. The Eastern gives you one more sea day but we prefer the Western.

Key West is alright but we enjoyed Grand Cayman and Cozumel the most. In GC we went to a beach not far from the port and rented wave runners.

In Cozumel we rented scooters and rode to Paradise Beach where we spent the day. We bought wrist bands so we could use all the amentities that the Beach had to offer. Water trampoline, floating iceberg, kayaks, we also got two lounge chairs and an umbrella. The food there was excellent. For a deposit the kids also rented snorkel gear and went and snorkeled around the pier.

We don't do any excursions, we just prefer to go off on our own. This next cruise we are hoping to make it to the turtle farm and to Hell!

Michele

 

[SeaSickPsycho]

Welcome SeaSick!

We have done both the seven day Eastern and the Western. The Eastern gives you one more sea day but we prefer the Western.

Key West is alright but we enjoyed Grand Cayman and Cozumel the most. In GC we went to a beach not far from the port and rented wave runners.

In Cozumel we rented scooters and rode to Paradise Beach where we spent the day. We bought wrist bands so we could use all the amentities that the Beach had to offer. Water trampoline, floating iceberg, kayaks, we also got two lounge chairs and an umbrella. The food there was excellent. For a deposit the kids also rented snorkel gear and went and snorkeled around the pier.

We don't do any excursions, we just prefer to go off on our own. This next cruise we are hoping to make it to the turtle farm and to Hell!

Michele

How do you get to the turtle farm and Hell? I have some ideas but I don't think that is what you were saying.

 

[PenskeSth1]

How do you get to Turtle farm and Hell?

We are either going to take a taxi or what we prefer to do is rent a jeep or vehicle of some type and drive ourselves with the help of a map.

We rented a jeep in St. Martin one year and drove all over the place, we had a great time sight seeing on our own. We just have to keep a close eye on the watch to make sure we get back to the ship before it leaves....

You don't have to go on your own though, there are plenty of excursions that go to alot of nice places.

HTH
Michele

 

[Stinasmom]

Hey, hey, hey! A month has gone by and we got lost in oblivion!

I have to tell you all... I was close to canceling or rebooking this cruise because my daughter is quite involved in ballet, and the studio here in town (a rather small town) is probably going to put on a full scale production of the Nutcracker next December.

She is a gifted dancer and I didn't want to take this performance opportunity away from her... BUT... we have been rethinking our priorities... AND...

She wants to cruise even if it means missing a weekend of performances!

We actually are planning to hit the parks the week or at least 5 days before the cruise too, and since we have been watching the Holiday specials on WDW on both Travel Channel and Food Network, we are convinced we need to cease this opportunity.

AND--- have you gotta load of the new pricing??? We could never get this same cruise for the price we are getting... We even priced (dare I admit it ) Royal Caribbean! Since we booked on board and early after the itinerary was released, our price just can't be beat. I am not giving it up!
(I feel like a child holding tight to a toy a larger child is trying to pull out of my hands )

I thought I'd share something else with all of you on this thread...
On our first cruise (DCL west coast 6/2005) we met some great people on this cruise meets thread. Two others and I have kept in touch since and we have able to visit each... happily, since one lives in sunny Hawaii and the other lives in Orange County near Disneyland.
Well, this March all three of us and our families are converging on Disneyland for three days of overlapping vacations!
You just never know what comes of this thread and the friends you meet!

Marcy

 

[SILLYANDI]

We still talk often with a family we met on the board form our last cruise in 2006! I am usually here all the time (on the DIS) but recently I have taken on too many responsibilities and have had to sacrifice.

EXACTLY ONE YEAR TO GO! Can you believe it? Our kids started their countdown last night. They were talking about how many days until Christmas when the oldest realized that we would be getting on the Magic in a year and a day so they made a calendar and hung it on the wall. They forgot all about Christmas!

 

[Tinker_Bell16]

Hi there everybody. I can't believe how many people are already planning for this date next year. My mom is, she hasn't booked it yet. Least I don't think. unless she did it with no one noticing. But this is the date she has set for. I went on a disney cruise 07 summer and had a blast. It was on the Wonder.

But now I'll be going around Christmas which is way cooler. Because its really could around christmas in Maryland. It'll be me(17 now, I'll be 18 when we go so that means I can go party with my sister in the clubs ) My Older sister Danielle(19. She'll be 20 when we go.) My mom and dad. (They'll kill me if I post there age. ) and my youngest sister Kennedy (12, she'll be 13 when we go.)

My mom plans on signing my little sister Kennedy up for disboards so she can make some friends before we go, and meet up with them. (If anybody has any kids around my lil sis's age lemme know so that I can tell her and we'll introduce them to each other.) Danielle hasn't decided if she'll make an account or not. I think this site is cool because you get to meet new people.

We won't be going to Disney World before we get on this time. We did that last summer and were wiped out alot the first day of the cruise.

So thats my little intro. Hope I get to know some of you all better, and even get to meet you on the ship. Happy Holidays.

-Cassie

 

[PenskeSth1]

Welcome Tinker_bell16!

We are finally under a year to go! We just got done making our final payment so we are ready to cruise.

We are headed to WDW for the next week. We must be crazy as It is a zoo there this time of the year. DH works out of state 9 months of the year and this seems to be the only time we can get away for a vacation.

DS has his playoffs in soccer today and tomorrow and then we are off to Disney world tomorrow night. What a hectic weekend.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas.

Michele

 

[Stinasmom]

Here's welcoming you too, Tink!

My daughter will be almost 12 (like within 2 weeks) when we sail and gets along with older girls well... she is the youngest in her dance classes by 2 years. She and your (will be 13 year old) sis might want to correspond. The only draw back is that at 12 and 13 they are in different kids clubs! I don't know if they ever make exceptions allowing 12 year olds in the Stack.... and I am not sure I would want them to! But they could find lots of other things to do if they find enough in common.

Michele-- let me know what the parks are like when you are there. I am thinking we might stay on for a week after the cruise but am scared of the crazy crowds. Are there times of the day that are better? Certain parks on certain days better?
I was thinking of just doing the hard ticket events that week like MVVCP and the candlelight processional dinner package. And the rest of the time either bearing with long lines and crowds or just hanging at the resort!
I was also considering SeaWorld's Discovery Cove that week since the only let in 1000 people per day any day of the year. It is very $$ however.
Good luck and keep your sanity!

Marcy

 

[Tinker_Bell16]

Here's welcoming you too, Tink!

My daughter will be almost 12 (like within 2 weeks) when we sail and gets along with older girls well... she is the youngest in her dance classes by 2 years. She and your (will be 13 year old) sis might want to correspond. The only draw back is that at 12 and 13 they are in different kids clubs! I don't know if they ever make exceptions allowing 12 year olds in the Stack.... and I am not sure I would want them to! But they could find lots of other things to do if they find enough in common.

Michele-- let me know what the parks are like when you are there. I am thinking we might stay on for a week after the cruise but am scared of the crazy crowds. Are there times of the day that are better? Certain parks on certain days better?
I was thinking of just doing the hard ticket events that week like MVVCP and the candlelight processional dinner package. And the rest of the time either bearing with long lines and crowds or just hanging at the resort!
I was also considering SeaWorld's Discovery Cove that week since the only let in 1000 people per day any day of the year. It is very $$ however.
Good luck and keep your sanity!

Marcy

Thanks for the welcome.

Stinasmom: My little sister hasn't really shown an interest of wanting to go to the Stack, but my mom thinks if she makes a few friends that she'll decide to go. But if she doesn't mom's going to but her in the 10 or 11 to 14 club that just started up. But I'm sure they'd find some things in common with each other. My little sister gets along with just about everyone. But like I said before, mom said she'll probally sign my little sister up for Disboards so she can talk to more people. Plus she has a yahoo email account. They can talk through there to if your daughter has an email address.

 

[PenskeSth1]

Stinasmom,

I will let you know how crazy the parks are. I think we went a few years at this time and swore we would "NEVER" do it again. LOL DH and the kids DS 9 and DD 18 will go and bear the crowds better than me. I prefer to hang at the resort and just RELAX. I go into the parks for just a couple hours a day.

We use to do the MVMCP, but last year it was so crazy crowded we decided to pass this year. Now we just do MNSSHP at Halloween. I imagine it will be crowded as before. I look forward to the extra magic hours personally.

Michele

 

[Tinker_Bell16]

Welcome Tinker_bell16!

We are finally under a year to go! We just got done making our final payment so we are ready to cruise.

We are headed to WDW for the next week. We must be crazy as It is a zoo there this time of the year. DH works out of state 9 months of the year and this seems to be the only time we can get away for a vacation.

DS has his playoffs in soccer today and tomorrow and then we are off to Disney world tomorrow night. What a hectic weekend.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Christmas.

Michele

Blah. Sorry about not replying to this before hand with my other comment. I was trying to do 3 things at once while trying not to flood the bathroom

Really. Good luck to that. Around Christmas time there is supposed to be a mad house.

I really can't wait till 12/13. My mom has to get leave from work and so does my dad and then they'll actually book. But this will defiently probaly be the best cruise so far when we go.

Hope your weekend goes well.

-Cassie

 

[theodorechipmunkluvr]

Hi eveyone I am Rachel I am 13 yr( will be 14 on Cruise) and going wth my parents and little bro( he will be 7 when we go)! i cant wait! This will be my 5th cruise( i know ALOT!) 3 of the 4 were ruined because of the Hurricaines!
I cant wait. i want to have friends and people to hang out with so if you have daughters (or sons ) private message me. i will be glad to email with them. Ok cant wait!

 

[PenskeSth1]

I have to start by saying my Son's soccer team won their divisions championship on Sunday the (23rd). We had such a hectic weekend with his soccer playoffs Saturday and Sunday and then having to head to Disney that afternoon after his game. All I can say is that it is a good thing we live so close! (only 40 min. drive). LOL

Marcy,

We arrived and checked into our room Sunday about 7:00. We loved our room at OKW. It was a 2 bedroom villa. We didn't head out to any parks that night we just checked out the main building and pool.

We went to Animal Kingdom on Monday, just to get it over with. (This is our least favorite park). We figured it wouldn't be as crowded as the rest...HA HA boy were we wrong. We only did the jungle cruise and then went to Rafiki's planet watch (where they have the petting zoo)or something like that and then we left. I actually like the educational area down there. We got to pet a bald python and another snake and then they were talking about the different foods the animals eat. DS is homeschooled so we like to get in educational things when we can.

Tuesday we headed over to Magic Kingdom. It was NOT a surprise to see how busy this park was because it is ALWAYS the busiest of the parks. We did manage to ride a few rides although it was freezing cold.

We didn't go into the parks but for a couple hours each day if that. This is NOT the ideal time to go to Disney unless you don't mind long lines and crowds of people. While at MGM the rockin roller coaster had a 90 min wait at one time. That was how Epcot was too! DH and I got fast passes for Soarin at 1:00 in the afternoon and we couldn't use them until 8:00 that night. We never did use them, we went through the countries and then left.

I have to say, this was one of our more relaxed vacations. We just hung around the resort most of the time or went down to Downtown Disney.

We will NEVER go to Disney around Christmas again. We did have a nice time, but I was sooooo glad to get back home.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Michele

 

[Stinasmom]

Michele--
Thanks for the report about WDW during Christmas week! How tough and frustrating it would be if that was the only time you could go.
I think if we try to do anything after the cruise, it will be specific hard ticket things like Candlelight Processional Dinner package, and I am considering a day at SeaWorld's Discovery Cove. Also, we could hang at the resort. (ha... just noticed that I already said all this in my last post!) We will be at WDW for 4 days prior to the cruise when we can go commando through all 4 parks and hit the stuff that would be impossible to do when it's a madhouse.

Next step it to see if the inlaws even want to go to Orlando for Christmas week. I thought they might like to go to Gaylord Palms for Christmas day and dinner. Have you ever been there? I only know what I have heard Bob talk about on the podcast.

Hope you and everyone on our thread had a great Christmas this year! One more milestone down before our cruise together!

Marcy

 

[theodorechipmunkluvr]

dad posted under the wrong disname, so the message has been moved to the right member, see below.