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

[Brad98]

Bumpty Bumpty

Do you have to go to the Spa to book hair appointment? Or guest services?

Someone asked about divers.......my son and I are snorkellers but would both love to dive, so this time we are trying snuba in Key West and Discovery scuba at stingray city GC, through an outside company. xxx

 

[Brad98]

We would love to join in the FE exchange, but only have a small baggage allowance from the UK.

Has it been decided where everyone is going to meet up and when? We went to a meet and greet on a Holland America cruise, 18 people had signed up for it and we were the only ones to turn up Love Debz xxx

 

[cripps626]

Pirate night is Wednesday after we leave Cozumel. We leave there pretty early so they are at sea to start the party!

My brain is a bit fuzzy but I believe we started boarding around 11:15 -11:30..They let you into your stateroom around 1:30.

We usually get to the port early..around 10:00 DH has this need to be there first thing. NOt that it matters you still have to wait until your number is called before you can board. HTH

would someone mind posting each day and the coordinating dinner events, e.g. formal, pirate, captain's gala, etc?
i want to have it in writing with my packing list.
many thanks!!!

 

[cripps626]

it looks as though there are some unhappy campers who've just embarked today on the magic post dry dock...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1963576&page=3

 

[1char]

[Someone asked about divers.......my son and I are snorkellers but would both love to dive, so this time we are trying snuba in Key West and Discovery scuba at stingray city GC, through an outside company. xxx[/QUOTE]

My DH is a Diver, looking for a dive buddy. A few years back I tried Snuba and loved it. Tried scuba but Motion sickness prevents me from going on the small boats.

Any suggestions for motion on the cruise? Everyone is telling me with the large ships now days we should not have any problems. Also have heard the waters on the Western cruise's are calm. Charliebeth

 

[1char]

Thanks Michele, I need all the help I can get.

 

[1char]

Pirate night is Wednesday after we leave Cozumel. We leave there pretty early so they are at sea to start the party!

My brain is a bit fuzzy but I believe we started boarding around 11:15 -11:30..They let you into your stateroom around 1:30.

We usually get to the port early..around 10:00 DH has this need to be there first thing. NOt that it matters you still have to wait until your number is called before you can board. HTH

My DD wants to be ready to go online on the 29th to register for Dinner at Palo. We are at the end of the list being 1st time cruisers. Trying to pick out a night to go, we want to make sure and not miss Pirate night.

How do they give out the numbers? Senority or when you register? Thanks, Charliebeth

 

[dweitzel0]

My DD wants to be ready to go online on the 29th to register for Dinner at Palo. We are at the end of the list being 1st time cruisers. Trying to pick out a night to go, we want to make sure and not miss Pirate night.

How do they give out the numbers? Senority or when you register? Thanks, Charliebeth

I think senority is given to return cruisers by letting them book 90 days out (maybe 105 for concierge guests). 1st time cruisers get to book at 75 days and then it is 1st come first serve, so Good Luck.

 

[PenskeSth1]

How do they give out the numbers?* Senority or when you register?* Thanks, Charliebeth

The numbers are given out at time of checking in at port (I believe they handed us our # right after we went through the security area...These #'s are only used as boarding groups...Ya know like the first so many people are in group 1 so they have #1 then the next so many people will have boarding with group 2 and so on....All folks in cats 1,2,3 (concierge) board before everyone else. We were in group 2 last time.

As for Palo, you can try getting a slot on DCL website at your 75 day mark. If there all booked then you can try once you get on the ship.

 

[SILLYANDI]

We would love to join in the FE exchange, but only have a small baggage allowance from the UK.

Has it been decided where everyone is going to meet up and when? We went to a meet and greet on a Holland America cruise, 18 people had signed up for it and we were the only ones to turn up Love Debz xxx

I have an idea what I am doing for the FE and I am going to purchase it at a store in Cocoa Beach when I get there-I assume you are coming in at least a day before the cruise (I mean I hope you are crossing the pond with some time to spare!) maybe you can buy something for the exchange once you get here?

 

[SILLYANDI]

Any suggestions for motion on the cruise? Everyone is telling me with the large ships now days we should not have any problems. Also have heard the waters on the Western cruise's are calm. Charliebeth

My DD10 gets everything sick (carsick, motion sick, airplane sick...) she had no problem on the cruises we've been on (and we went through rough waters on one trip!). I bought her seabands for a camping trip this summer where she had to go in a car up a mountain road and it was the first time she didn't get sick. Maybe you should have those for backup.
I've only been seasick once and I have a feeling it had more to do with alcohol consumption than the seas but I took dramamine and it went away quickly.

 

[Stinasmom]

Having been on the boards since before the Magic's dry dock in 2006, it is clear that one should NOT book the week before or the 2 weeks after this event! The same complaints were posted back then too.

Hey, Charliebeth-
Seems like we arrived to the port around 9:30 am and got boarding group #2, but getting there before 11:00am is still good. They began boarding group #1 which are the suites around 11:45, we probably started boarding around noon. This is pretty good timing because it gives you a chance to go directly to lunch, look around, then try to get to your stateroom after they open them up around 1:30.
Advice-- keep the carryon luggage to a minimum or at least manageable because you will be hauling it around with you to lunch until you can get into your stateroom!
Also, if any kids in your party want to swim right away, have them wear their swimuits (or bring them and change at the port or the bathrooms right by the pool).
You can then go to Topsiders (the buffet on deck 9) and get trays of food to take to the tables near the pool. The Mickey Pool will get busy later, but if you get in that first dip in the first hour, your all set!

cripps626
As for which night is which theme... I have seen differences in posted Navigators, so, maybe a post to the main boards will reveal more solid info from a recent cruiser. But here is what I know so far:
Formal Night - Monday
Semi Formal - Thursday (Captain's Gala menu_
Pirate night - Wednesday (or Tues? not sure as it was Tues back in 5/07)

I decided to go to Palo on Sunday night. Two reasons: doesn't conflict with any other theme night, and it's early in the week before you are so full of good food that you wouldn't fully appreciate the decadence of Palo!

You should be able to get your desired Palo ressies if you try early on the 75 day out window. If not, they will have spots open upon boarding. Disney realizes that not everyone is savvy enough to do it all online and leaves open spots.

Marcy

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

Post # 7 ( only 3 more to go), DD & family are in cabin # 2604, just a few doors from Katiesmommy (Lucinda). Depending on the day, GD Katelynn also goes by Kate or Katie. Charliebeth

oh my two katies!!

 

[dweitzel0]

oh my two katies!!

I have a Katie too, so that makes three!!

 

[KATIESMOMMY]

lol loads of Katies, I can see it now!

Mine is a Kathryn and Carolyn, Katie and Carrie and you will hear me going through both names EVERYTIME I yell at one of them lol

 

[1char]

Thanks everyone for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions.

I'll purchase the wrist bands. My DD is talking to her doctor about patch's. I tried them about 20yrs ago, made me dizzy, but I'm sure they have improved.

 

[1char]

lol loads of Katies, I can see it now!

Mine is a Kathryn and Carolyn, Katie and Carrie and you will hear me going through both names EVERYTIME I yell at one of them lol

It's always funny to watch how many with the same name turns when they hear their name called. Same thing when we hear "MOM" LOL.

 

[momtomari]

i have a wdw trip scheduled dec 11-18, but now that i took my first dis cruise in august im hooked. i have already booked for april 09 and nov 09. and looking at prices for this 2400 might be something that i can swing. was going to be spending 1500 on the wdw trip and flight is a little more expensive. dont know what to do

amanda

 

[SILLYANDI]

i have a wdw trip scheduled dec 11-18, but now that i took my first dis cruise in august im hooked. i have already booked for april 09 and nov 09. and looking at prices for this 2400 might be something that i can swing. was going to be spending 1500 on the wdw trip and flight is a little more expensive. dont know what to do

amanda

Well having done both (and even done both in the same trip) I have to say the cruise was a better value in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE me my WDW but, I can get by with going to WDW every 5 years or so without missing it. The cruise though, I think I need every other year!
Good Luck with the decision!

 

[SILLYANDI]

would someone mind posting each day and the coordinating dinner events, e.g. formal, pirate, captain's gala, etc?
i want to have it in writing with my packing list.
many thanks!!!

Here is the "Official" word from DCL (subject to change of course...)

Sat-Embarkation-Welcome Aboard Menu (Regular Rotation)
Sun-Key West-Regular Rotation
Mon-Day at Sea-Formal Night-Golden Mickey's menu
Tues-Grand Cayman-Regular Rotation
Wed-Cozumel-Pirate Party Menu
Thurs-at Sea-Captain's Gala-Semi Formal (LOBSTER)
Fri-Castaway Cay-Til We Meet Again Menu