Diez (10) Noches Calientes en la Riviera Mexicana/17 de abril 2011 (4.17.11 Wonder!)

[fourmcds]

Me too...why haven't they opened up bookings for that day? We are they expecting to allow us to book for that day?? Very annoying for us OCD types!!!!

So Lisa....what are we gonna book for that day?!

 

[LiserAnn]

So Lisa....what are we gonna book for that day?!

Well, I figure one of the two days will be an "Office" Day...can't forget those two for one drinks! But, if we're spending 2 days in Cabo I'd like to book something one of the two days. Nothing really appeals to me....except a beach chair and my butt in it, lol!!!

 

[fourmcds]

Well, I figure one of the two days will be an "Office" Day...can't forget those two for one drinks! But, if we're spending 2 days in Cabo I'd like to book something one of the two days. Nothing really appeals to me....except a beach chair and my butt in it, lol!!!

(tender) (the office) (ahhhhh!)

 

[Susiesark]

I'll bet they add additional dolphin swim spots in Cabo for our first day there - if they'd just hurry up and get that day added to the website for booking! We decided we wanted to try the BOB underwater scooter excursion that day so I check DCL every day to see if it's available yet. (Yes, I know, I'm a little obsessive.......)

We'd like (LOVE) to do the BOB excursion, but DD (6) wouldn't be able to do it with us. Our alternate plan is for horseback riding, with Johann & Sandra in Cabo on day 1 (not a DCL excursion)

 

[Az Pirates]

Do you think they're having an especially difficult time lining up excursions since our new Cabo day is Easter Sunday?

I had originally contacted an independant provider in Mazatlan, and she said that as much as she hated to turn down business, it would be best if we didn't book with her.

Her words:
"Easter Sunday is very problematic. In Mexico it is tradition for everybody to go to the beach during Easter - not just Mazatlan people - people from the entire country. Mazatlan is filled to overflowing on Easter - traffic will be a problem."

I assume Cabo will be filled to overflowing as well.

 

[szubieta]

Do you think they're having an especially difficult time lining up excursions since our new Cabo day is Easter Sunday?

I had originally contacted an independant provider in Mazatlan, and she said that as much as she hated to turn down business, it would be best if we didn't book with her.

Her words:
"Easter Sunday is very problematic. In Mexico it is tradition for everybody to go to the beach during Easter - not just Mazatlan people - people from the entire country. Mazatlan is filled to overflowing on Easter - traffic will be a problem."

I assume Cabo will be filled to overflowing as well.

They shouldn't. Our cruise is the last one for this spring and they are probably getting the current group and so on their new itinerary and port adventure set up. I am hopeful that in the next month we will see some excursions for day 8, 1st day in Cabo. Matzatlan Frank said that the ports with tourist will still run pretty normal.

As for Cabo being filled to overflow...probably, IMHO!!

 

[LiserAnn]

Do you think they're having an especially difficult time lining up excursions since our new Cabo day is Easter Sunday?

I had originally contacted an independant provider in Mazatlan, and she said that as much as she hated to turn down business, it would be best if we didn't book with her.

Her words:
"Easter Sunday is very problematic. In Mexico it is tradition for everybody to go to the beach during Easter - not just Mazatlan people - people from the entire country. Mazatlan is filled to overflowing on Easter - traffic will be a problem."

I assume Cabo will be filled to overflowing as well.

Now that's interesting! I hadn't thought about that!! The beaches will be jammed with locals and cruisers. Hmmm, this will be interesting! We'll all look like these three:

 

[True Romance]

We would love to connect with other kids close to or the same ages! Our girls' favorite thing on the Magic last year (well, other than the FE, of course, which was like mountains of pixie dust delivered every day) was hanging out with the kids of other DISers. We had set up an email correspondence with a few of the other kids ahead of time, so they all felt like they already had friends onboard before we even got on the ship. It worked out really well -- they couldn't wait to meet their DISfriends, and they had so much fun together throughout the cruise. If any of you would like to do that, feel free to PM me, and we can set it up.

That is a good idea. I PM'd you. My daughter has never emailed before, I bet she will get a kick out of it.

The estimated sunset on our first night is 7:25p. It is also a full-moon that night. We had a full moon on another cruise and the sea is sooo beautiful and feels magical too. Perfect for a moonlight stroll...great starter for our cruise.

Cool Thanks for the information Sandy. Lets hope for nice warm weather in SoCal so we can enjoy the deck on the 17th and the full moon.

Kristi, we're in the later dinner seating - not sure what time you all have, but as we have daughters the same age it would be great for them to have a mate(as we say!) Would love to meet up and swap stories .
Love that you know Austin so well! Its great to have all the info before we go -unfortunately you just can't Google everything, you kind of have to know what you're looking for.

Thanks for the tip on the accomm before the cruise - I don't really know that port area at all - although we have been to LA quite a few times, we've always just stayed in the Bev Hills/Century City area - might stay there again so we can do some shopping and the girls can get their fix of AG Place

Will have to do a bit more research into what kind of gifts to bring for the FEs
Have lots of ideas but want to make sure they're appropriate.

Penny, got you guys added to our FE list. Do some searches on the FE's, anything is welcomed and appreciated. People especially like things that are local to the giver. I think we all would love some little taste of Australia.

If you are familiar with the Beverly Hills/Century City area I would actually stay there again. The port is about a 30 minute ride from there. Traffic should not be a problem at all on a Sunday morning heading to the port. I used to live in Beverly Hills off of Wilshire. We actually called it the slums of Beverly Hills because our zip code was 90211, not the famous 90210
That area is nice and central to the things you would want to do in L.A. I love Los Angeles and Hollywood. Hoping to stay a night or 2 after the cruise.

We have late seating too. Lets make it a point to hook up and talk a little and introduce our daughters. I will PM you, maybe they can email and get to know each other with Savin2WDW daughter.

Do you think they're having an especially difficult time lining up excursions since our new Cabo day is Easter Sunday?

I had originally contacted an independant provider in Mazatlan, and she said that as much as she hated to turn down business, it would be best if we didn't book with her.

Her words:
"Easter Sunday is very problematic. In Mexico it is tradition for everybody to go to the beach during Easter - not just Mazatlan people - people from the entire country. Mazatlan is filled to overflowing on Easter - traffic will be a problem."

I assume Cabo will be filled to overflowing as well.

Very interesting, thanks for the info. I would actually prefer to stay on the ship on Easter, but I think that is our long day in Cabo. I think that is the day we almost have to get off and do something since the next day we leave so early.

 

[loving _life]

.

 

[True Romance]

: Me too....but no hurry, I can see they're shuffling around reservations to open up the lower category for those wishing to pay less. We're buried under snow and realize that ANYTHING is better than this cold weather right now!

I really hope that they open up our lower Cat. 10 and pixie dust us to a higher category. We did not take part in KSF, paid for 4 adults and 1 child (even though we have 2A & 3C) and booked 18 months ago. I am actually kinda kicking myself that we did not change to the KSF offer last June and booked a Cat. 4 with hopes to upgrade to a 3. There are still at least 3 Cat. 3 avail. Oh well, I keep convincing myself I am very happy with the SPH rooms we have.

 

[lymommy]

Hello again...

1. Can we be added to the FE list? My DH and I , two sons ages 4 and 1. Im going to give a shot at sewing and make a FE... we'll see how that turns out

2. We will be flying from norcal to socal. I was wondering what time we should be at port? What time will they allow people to start getting on? How long is the wait in line usually?

3. We need transportation from LAX to port. Since we have 2 little ones, they need carseats. Have you guys found any transportation that provides carseats? If so, which ones? I heard the vans don't require carseats? not sure about that... has anyone ever done that?

3. Once back to LA, usually get off at 930, do we go thru customs or anything? What time should I tell transportation to pick us up?

Thanks again...

 

[True Romance]

Hello again...

1. Can we be added to the FE list? My DH and I , two sons ages 4 and 1. Im going to give a shot at sewing and make a FE... we'll see how that turns out

2. We will be flying from norcal to socal. I was wondering what time we should be at port? What time will they allow people to start getting on? How long is the wait in line usually?

3. We need transportation from LAX to port. Since we have 2 little ones, they need carseats. Have you guys found any transportation that provides carseats? If so, which ones? I heard the vans don't require carseats? not sure about that... has anyone ever done that?

3. Once back to LA, usually get off at 930, do we go thru customs or anything? What time should I tell transportation to pick us up?

Thanks again...

Hey there, I added you to our FE list. Welcome

I would get to the port around 11 or 12 if possible. They start letting people board by boarding number at noon. I flew in from Sacramento in January. Had a 9am flt, arrived at 10am, and we got to the port around 11:15. We used Super Shuttle from LAX, but we had no kids with us at the time. Not sure about car seats.

They started boarding the ship at noon and we had boarding card #8. I think it took about 30 to 40 mins. to get to our number. So we boarded around 12:40pm. They have a decent size waiting area with chairs. You also can go and register your kids for the clubs in the terminal. We did not have our kids with us for that trip, so we did not use that service. However, I heard that line can take an hour or so. This trip we are planning on getting to the terminal around 10am or so. I would like to be in one of the earliest boarding groups.

Going through customs was pretty quick. We were not in a hurry when we got off the ship and we had friends picking us up at the pier. We told them 9:45am and we were right at the curb at 9:45 exactly. It depends on your flight home and what time you need to be back at the airport. I would allow about 1/2 hour for debarkation, getting off the ship, going through customs and getting your luggage.

 

[virdis]

Do you think they're having an especially difficult time lining up excursions since our new Cabo day is Easter Sunday?

I had originally contacted an independant provider in Mazatlan, and she said that as much as she hated to turn down business, it would be best if we didn't book with her.

Her words:
"Easter Sunday is very problematic. In Mexico it is tradition for everybody to go to the beach during Easter - not just Mazatlan people - people from the entire country. Mazatlan is filled to overflowing on Easter - traffic will be a problem."

I assume Cabo will be filled to overflowing as well.

I have a slightly different thought. The week of our cruise is Holy Week (also called Semana Santa in Mexico). From what I've read, this is a major holiday week for people in Mexico. Schools and businesses are closed and most people head to beaches. I am guessing we will see major crowds that week. We will be in PV on Ash Wednesday so I am expecting to see it crowded when we get off the boat.

Manzanillo will be on Good Friday. Again, I think we will see a good amount of people out. The first day of Cabo is Easter Sunday. The problem may not be overcrowding but can DCL get tour operators to do a good number of excursions on that day. Easter Sunday is at the same level as Christmas. I don't think everything will be open that day. A lot of people will probably end up at local Easter festivals or in church that day.

I really hope that they open up our lower Cat. 10 and pixie dust us to a higher category. We did not take part in KSF, paid for 4 adults and 1 child (even though we have 2A & 3C) and booked 18 months ago. I am actually kinda kicking myself that we did not change to the KSF offer last June and booked a Cat. 4 with hopes to upgrade to a 3. There are still at least 3 Cat. 3 avail. Oh well, I keep convincing myself I am very happy with the SPH rooms we have.

Kristi....you guys will be happy. All of the SPH rooms I've seen on the boards are very cool and the fact you have connecting SPH rooms on deck 5 is just awesome. I wish were were in the same area as you guys.

As for upgrades, I would really love to see the process that DCL uses. Looking from the outside (not knowing their standard operating procedures), it does not seem to be very organized. I got to believe that there is some method to the madness. DCL's goal is to move (or upgrade) folks in the higher categories so that they can free up these rooms for last minute folks who want to cruise. The whole idea is that these are the cabins they have the best chance of selling last minute before the cruise starts since they are cheaper. They do this in leiu of reducing the cost of the lower categories (otherwise we all would want the cheap low category...and it would devalue the lower categories to some extent). By doing this, the hope is that they will fill the boat or bring it close to full capacity.

What makes this an interesting process to me is that they have different scenarios and combinations to deal with. Not all cabins can fit equal amount of people. Some cabins can only have 3 while others can hold 4. When they start to shuffle folks with the upgrades, they have to also contend with large families or groups with connecting rooms. It looks like (from reading on the dis boards) sometimes they will move a category 11 or 10 to category 4 or 3. In other instances, they move a category 11 or 10 to an occupied category 5, 6, or 9 which in turn they move those occupants up to a category 4 or 3.
The process appears to be different on every cruise as all of the variables are constantly shifting. Then they also have instances where people refuse the upgrades (for example...seen people refusing to be moved for category 10/11 to category 9 because the category 9 is on deck 1 or 2 which people seem to have negative reactions to (don't get why being lower with a view is worst than being higher with no view)

Anyway, I guess we may never know unless you talk to someone at DCL that does this whole process. All I hope is that the "madness" finds of us on this meet to get upgraded.

 

[Travelbee]

Hi Everyone.

A bit late to the party it seems, but thought I'd pop in and say hi!

We're travelling from Melbourne Australia to take our first cruise. Really looking forward to the whole experience, even though we're not really sure what to expect (probably half the fun!)

Me - Penny, DH James, DS Lachlan (15) DD Lily (10) DD Charlotte (7)

Welcome! I added you to the roll call on our website. If you'd like, send me your photo and I'll upload so we all put a name to a face.

BTW - there was quite a bit of chat about packing. Am I the only one who is ecstatic that I don't have to worry about overweight bags and bag fees? I'm even thinking about bringing my own pillow since for the first time, I don't have to fly to get to the ship!

 

[savin4WDW]

Someone mentioned linking dinner reservations?

I am traveling alone with my 7 and 5 year old daughters. I am an older, single parent. Our last few cruises we had linked with a group of DISers we had met on our first cruise. We don't know anyone yet on this cruise. My kids are not the best behaved in restaurants, so I'm thinking about skipping the dining rooms all together. But I don't want to loose out for myself!!! Maybe if we were other families with like aged kids, I could get them to buy into the dining experience? My 7 year old is a total tomboy, and my 5 year old is a little princess. We have early dining. Any one else with not perfectly behaved children want to join us???

I'm wondering if anyone has perfectly behaved children at meals, and if so, could they share their secret with me?

 

[Susiesark]

I'm wondering if anyone has perfectly behaved children at meals, and if so, could they share their secret with me?

That would be me! DD 6 IS perfectly behaved (so far...) in restaurants and at meals (you'll see). But it's nothing we've done, we were blessed. So if you want to sit with us, we're late dining.

Connie , Helen, Maria, are you driving to port or getting dropped off?

 

[LiserAnn]

BTW - there was quite a bit of chat about packing. Am I the only one who is ecstatic that I don't have to worry about overweight bags and bag fees? I'm even thinking about bringing my own pillow since for the first time, I don't have to fly to get to the ship!

I for one am thrilled to not have to deal with baggage fees or schlepping stuff on the plane! Just an one hour drive and boom, we're there!

 

[bitocas]

we too are blessed with a child well behaved,she is 4.we have late dining and we too are looking for a family to join us,anyone is interessed?i am a pharmacist and dh works in a bank(but realy when in vacation we don´t talk much of work).i really would love to share the table with some disfriends.

 

[TNShellBelle]

we too are blessed with a child well behaved,she is 4.we have late dining and we too are looking for a family to join us,anyone is interessed?i am a pharmacist and dh works in a bank(but realy when in vacation we don´t talk much of work).i really would love to share the table with some disfriends.

I am a nurse (not working since having kids) and dh is a financial consultant (employed by Regions Bank). Can't wait to meet you guys!

 

[TNShellBelle]

Someone mentioned linking dinner reservations?

I am traveling alone with my 7 and 5 year old daughters. I am an older, single parent. Our last few cruises we had linked with a group of DISers we had met on our first cruise. We don't know anyone yet on this cruise. My kids are not the best behaved in restaurants, so I'm thinking about skipping the dining rooms all together. But I don't want to loose out for myself!!! Maybe if we were other families with like aged kids, I could get them to buy into the dining experience? My 7 year old is a total tomboy, and my 5 year old is a little princess. We have early dining. Any one else with not perfectly behaved children want to join us???

~Jennifer

Hi Jennifer! I'm looking for someone to link dinner reservations with! We have Macy who will almost be 5 on the cruise (also a princess) and Sean who will be 3 1/2 who can be difficult at dinner. I am hoping that he will behave if there are other kids there??? We have early seating since we 5:45 on the ship will really be 7:45p for us and my kids would never make it to late seating.
Let me know if you would like to join us!