Early-Early Roll call.... 4-28-07 Eastern

[Stripes]

Hi Everyone....

Well we made it back home to Canada by 8:00 pm. What a long day. We started at 5:00 am because we had to go through immigration by 6 am.

I am sorry that we did not get a chance to meet everyone. I did meet FaithandHope and Floridagram. I hope that everyone had a fabulous time. We certainly did!!

My DS(14) really did not want to go to The Stack (he is just so shy) so we changed tactics and did a lot of family activities. Which ended up being great because we had a lot of "one on one" time with him which we do not get enough of at home.

My DD(9) loved the Lab and meet a lot of friends. Our social butterfly.

My DH (Mark) the one who went "kicking and screaming" just loved the whole experience and wants to do another cruise!!

So..........when are we all cruising again?

Keep us posted.

Kathy, Mark, Taylor and Katie Lalonde

 

[mormadsmom]

recognize anyone?

 

[mormadsmom]

I did not get to meet everyone, since I was not exactly sure where to stand. By the time I saw some of you grouping together, we were across the deck and about 3 deep of people. So, I took this photo of some you.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

YES - I am still swaying!!!! Actually this morning it seems to have gotten better but man it was bad yesterday!! For as high as the waves were - I can't beleive we didnt rock more!

I was sad I only got to meet J&C grandma - being with my MIL and FIL I did not feel comfortable going to deck 10 - I saw angilovesthemouse door everyday as she was next to my inlaws but I missed meeting her! Plus - Julia ran front and center for the sail away party and actually got pulled up on stage to dance - she was on cloud nine!!

We have already decided to rebook - my kids are sitting here right now saying STINKY WINKY - and have amazed our family with their new magic tricks!! And my DS3 woke up this morning and said - "Mommy - I want to go back on our cruise ship - I miss Teri" that was his favorite counselor in the kids club - he never wanted to leave when we would go to pick him up!! We should all post pics of ourselves on the cruise - I bet that I ran across some of you and never knew it!!

There is a 5 day double dip on the Magic on September 1, 2005 - we think that 7 days was just a little too much for Nick - who wants to go back now!! I think he was just a little confused as to why we were not going home! But we want to be back on the Magic - we loved the crew!!! Our servers were Pirom and Jonathon and they were so awesome!!

I am going to look for the best rebooking deal today - I kow we shold have done it onboard but honestly it never occured to us taht we might want to before we left so I was unprepared to think about it!

I did see that for the four of us to go on the 14 day transatlantic this weekend would be around $2150 in a Cat 12 - which was SO tempting - too bad we are tapped out on vacation!!!!!!

 

[Stripes]

I saw the special Double Dip for Sept. 1, 2008 also. I am going to mention that to my DH. I am sorry too that we did not book while on board.

My kids just loved the day at Castaway. What an amazing day! It was a perfect day for the final wrap up.

I took over 250 pictures so I am hoping to get them downloaded to the computer and then try to figure out how to load them onto this board.

But first....the laundry marathon continues tonight.

Kathy

 

[mormadsmom]

I have to say I did the quote thing before disembarked. Didn't like the price so I did not rebooked. When we got home I called the disney cruise line and got a quote, (same everything) for $900 dollars cheaper. I am sorry to say that it makes me a bit sad to find this out. What are they thinking? That is my only "problem" with this trip. more later!

 

[J&C'sGrandmom]

Got home last night and just collapsed. This was out fourth family cruise and once everyone finally arrived in Orlando it was great. Our grandson - the C in J & C - had to make life interesting. He spent the morning of their flight day in the hospital and was finally cleared and released less than six hours before their flight. That accounted for the dazed look on my daughter's (J&C's Mom) face.

It was great meeting everyone. I remember talking to mormadsmom, floridagram, julia & nick's mom, briar rose and faith & hope. If I missed anyone -- Sorry. It was the first time we posted to the boards before a cruise and it really made it nice to see familiar names and put the faces to them.

We had already booked our next cruise before this one. DH and I and daughter Heather are booked on the August 2008 Panama Canal cruise bringing the Magic home to Port Canaveral. So if anyone books that Sept. 1, 2008 double dip we can wave to you as we pass on the Beeline (sorry, the Beachline). This one will be the first Disney crusie without the little ones but 15 nights may be too long for them so J & C's Mom thought it best to pass on it. (It's tought to be the grown up, isn't it Nic!) Although now she has the biggest pout on when we talk about it.

I will be looking forward to seeing all the trip reports.

Now to the laundry.

Barbara

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Barbara -

we met a little girl in line for the pajama party and her name was J - same as your grandaughter - and then I asked if she had a brother and she said - yes - and it was the same c as your grandson and I said - I think I met your grandma - and they told me SHE ISNT ON BOARD!! I could not believe there was another combo of a family with the same names and kids about the same age!!

Was anyone else really disappointed with St. Maarten - I would think Disney should have been able to give us better info about that - how could they not know that the island would basically be shut down?!!?!? I was actually really disappointed in the whole shopping experience - Troy seemed like one big infomercial for the book he was selling - I remember when they used to work those deals out for you - and now you have to pay for that stuff!?!? Seemed ridiculous to me particularly when people were handing me coupon books as we got off the boat. I would prefer that Troy spent his time telling us about the island - how to get to where we wanted to go and actually know that the shops in St. Maarten were going to be closed - but then again I left in the middle of his talk so maybe he did do that - I just couldnt stomach him any longer!

 

[J&C'sGrandmom]

Barbara -

we met a little girl in line for the pajama party and her name was J - same as your grandaughter - and then I asked if she had a brother and she said - yes - and it was the same c as your grandson and I said - I think I met your grandma - and they told me SHE ISNT ON BOARD!! I could not believe there was another combo of a family with the same names and kids about the same age!!

Was anyone else really disappointed with St. Maarten - I would think Disney should have been able to give us better info about that - how could they not know that the island would basically be shut down?!!?!? I was actually really disappointed in the whole shopping experience - Troy seemed like one big infomercial for the book he was selling - I remember when they used to work those deals out for you - and now you have to pay for that stuff!?!? Seemed ridiculous to me particularly when people were handing me coupon books as we got off the boat. I would prefer that Troy spent his time telling us about the island - how to get to where we wanted to go and actually know that the shops in St. Maarten were going to be closed - but then again I left in the middle of his talk so maybe he did do that - I just couldnt stomach him any longer!

Julia really enjoyed the Club. There were times she didn't want to leave. It was our first trip where she could be there herself and it made the trip so nice for both her and us. By the next trip both grandchildren should be old enought to be there. That way we won't have to schedule things around Flouder's availability. That will really be nice.

We had our usual adults only dinner at Palo and it was wonderful. We all have our favorites and were able to sample them again and they introduced to some new dishes that will be included on the must have again list.

For some reason I was so tired that day I got off the ship in St. Maarten and as we were putting on the poncho's and covering the strollers, I made a quick decision that I wasn't up for it and went back on the ship and took a nap. I know everyone was else was a little disappointed in both the weather and the island. Later in the day everyone one else took the water taxi to the beach and enjoyed it. Nicole is a middle shcool science teacher and has a display of sand from beaches she (or we) visit. So the beach trip was a must.

It was great meeting you. Barbara

 

[disneyfunlover]

i had a fun time on this crusie. i got to do a lot of adults only things because of my parents. i found out some new. if you want an ice cream and you only get the little cups. go to the soda machineon deck nine aft and het a soda cup then go to the ice cream machine same place but on the other side. you can get more then the little cups can and it can last longer. i got to meet the captina and no else fammily but the parents fif. i went with 3 other kids and 2 adults. the teen club wasn't that good. they did stupid stuff and i was the youngers there. the food was good. i like our severs they were funny and they knew that we wanted before we order it.

i was asking the DVC person for the pion of the day and he said that they are doing a contest. it was to stick the DVC icon on your body some where and still have it be visable. so being me i throw it up on my forehead and walk down to him. i was the first on the crusie and the 3 person to throw it up on his or her forehead. so he said that he might be able to stick me in the DVC magizne. so i got other one and sticked to my head and got my picture taked.


the bad stuff happen is that people kept ditching me. one didn't want to but had to. it said it was sorry. so i foregive it. plus we did shuffle board and i kept hiting it to hard or to light. so it won and i lost. then we sang in the Studio sea.



But everything else was fun. got to spend time with my parents and do stuff with them that no one else gets to do.

so write what happen to you on this cruise

 

[Floridagram]

Julia and Nicks Mom,
I was so sorry not to meet you. Now I understand why I never found you. As it turned out the kids only went to the club the 2 times we went to Palo and for the graduation ceremony. They wanted to go to the Mickey pool so our sea days revolved around that. Thursday I jumped up and rushed out first thing to Quiet Cove and had planned to have a day there. I had my choice of chairs and then the rains came. I had a bag with books and Ipod so and it was mesh so I couldn't keep it dry unless I got out of the rain. I felt like I was playing musical chairs. I walked down to the Mickey pool and the kids were up and that's where we stayed until the monsoon hit!

Mormadsmom, Are you the one that said you were in 7609? I looked for you but did not find that room number. If it wasn't you someone said they were in it but I was lost or that was the wrong #! Sorry I missed you too! So close yet so far....

A shout out to those I did meet, and Faith and Hope's mom and I ran to each other at least once a day I think. We even ended up right beside each other at the beach in St. Maarten. I agree the day in St Maarten wasn't so good if you had an excursion in the AM and the shops were closed in the PM. Think of all the money you saved! DS got a great deal on a 10 pixel digital camera and DH bought himself a new wedding ring. The other one is almost 34 years old and I got a new one at 25 so I was glad he finally found one he liked. Luckily we shopped first then went back to the ship with our purchases had lunch and came back to the beach right there until almost 5. Saw a little of the parade, I was told by a local this was the family parade, I would have hated to see the adult parade!

We all think that Castaway Cay made up for any negative pixie dust on the rest of the cruise! I would love to just take a cruise that stayed there 3 days
and then brought me home. The beaches in FL are not like that and we love the beach!

I came home and went straight in to take a nap. When I got up the last load of laundry was in the dryer, DH will do the lauundry, and I am trying to be grateful for that. He doesn't do it the way I do though, so I would rather he not. Now that I hear of you all still doing laundry I'll

Best wishes to you all.

 

[Stripes]

It's funny how people see things differently.

We thought that St. Maarten ended up being a great day. Mind you we did not book any trips that day. In the morning when the sky opened up we took our time at breakfast. When we did venture out we took a water taxi to the beach and rented a couple of chairs with an unbrella and watch the kids swim for hours. The best part (Mark thought anyways) was that right behind our chairs there were small restaurants that served beer (2 for $3). We were set. Kids happy, husband happy and I got a new pair of earrings.

The ultimate day was Castaway though. What a beautiful day.

Kathy

 

[mormadsmom]

I was in room 7544. We were pleasantly surprised that when we got to our room we realized we had been upgraded! I didn't catch that part in our cruise documents when they arrived. We had booked a Cat 8 and got the Cat 5 instead. I wonder if they do this especially for first time cruisers? Because now we would never do less than cat 5. Our 5 yr old needed down time if just to break out her princess dolls and watch a little disney channel. While she did that, Mike and I sat on the verandah and read books. We kept the door cracked so we could still hear her. Worked out wonderful.

We had a great day in St. Maarten. Mike bought me an ammolite and he got a watch for himself. We left the girls on the boat and went shopping, came back got the girls, ate lunch from goofy's galley and then got our beach gear and went to the beach. It seemed like the hour for the parade kept getting later and later. First we were told shop now, bc the shops will close at 12, then it was 1, then 2:30. I don't think the parade started until late afternoon. Either way, it was leisure for us. We didn't have any excursions planned except for the Paradise pt. in St. Thomas. Mike and I were just a bit jealous though when we got back on and saw folks on what we think was the screaming eagle. We were watching from deck 9 and saw the boat flying by back and forth. It looked fun!

 

[slg]

I didn't meet any of you, sorry. But we had a great cruise, and its hard to be back!

We booked another one on board, and I checked the cost online today and it is $1300 more than the cost we were quoted, plus the $400 onboard credits, so I'm happy!

Anyone else book onboard? We've booked the June 1 Mexican Riviera. It seems so long away, that we might take a trip down to Disneyland this Christmas.

 

[TXBzean_DizKruzr]

Barbara -

we met a little girl in line for the pajama party and her name was J - same as your grandaughter - and then I asked if she had a brother and she said - yes - and it was the same c as your grandson and I said - I think I met your grandma - and they told me SHE ISNT ON BOARD!! I could not believe there was another combo of a family with the same names and kids about the same age!!

Was anyone else really disappointed with St. Maarten - I would think Disney should have been able to give us better info about that - how could they not know that the island would basically be shut down?!!?!? I was actually really disappointed in the whole shopping experience - Troy seemed like one big infomercial for the book he was selling - I remember when they used to work those deals out for you - and now you have to pay for that stuff!?!? Seemed ridiculous to me particularly when people were handing me coupon books as we got off the boat. I would prefer that Troy spent his time telling us about the island - how to get to where we wanted to go and actually know that the shops in St. Maarten were going to be closed - but then again I left in the middle of his talk so maybe he did do that - I just couldnt stomach him any longer!

I don't know specifically about Disney cruises, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same for them. I am originally from Belize - now a cruise destination for RCI, Carnival, and others. The cruise lines do not oversee/manage the destination itself. That is left to the "agent" for that cruise line. So any information about a particular destination is not known to the cruise line itself unless their local agent makes it known to them.

Nonetheless, I was rather surprised about the carnival, but I looked at that as an added bonus. Being a native of the Caribbean, I am always fascinated about the culture and customs of my fellow Caribbean brothers and sisters so I was so glad that I had this neat little bonus that I didn't know about.

But what a cruise it was...we had such a blast that we're already booked for a 7-day western in Sept.

 

[Floridagram]

I went up to deck 9 also just in time to see the Screamin Eagle come in and do one of it's 360 turns. That looked like the 2007 version of something we did there in 96 called the Wild Thing. The sea spray kept our glasses so wet we couldn't see a thing but I think younger people would love the thrill.

I am more of a snorkle on a catamaran kind of girl now! That is not a bad way to travel!

We never made it to Serenity Bay, maybe next time. How far was it past the family beach and was it worth going to? Were there enough umbrellas? The family beach got kind of murky by the afternoon. I thought it was from suntan lotion but DH said he thought it was just because the sand bottom was so stirred up from all the people. Did anyone else notice that?

 

[mormadsmom]

Floridagram, I probably looked right at you a few times and didn't know who you were!

Anyone noticed the family that disembarked in st. thomas right before the ship pulled off? We were on the side of the gangway and watched as people came in on taxis and running with their strollers all the way up to very, very last moment. Then we saw a young family with 2 small children leave with their suitcases into a taxi. I hope nothing bad happended.

 

[Floridagram]

I thought many times I was probably by someone from the board and didn't know it. I got one of those lime green lanyards that says Team Focker Watch from the WDW forum and wore it a couple of times with my key card in it but no one saw me or caught on to the lime green. It was a little less obvious than the green leis!

Those of you on deck 2 or an inside cabin, how small were those rooms? We were in a balcony but it felt pretty small to me. There was only about 1 foot on either side of the bed and then the couch and desk and tv across from it. There was room for a coffee table but it was always in the way when I tried to sit at the bench for the desk. DH and I had tomove out of each others way sometimes. So I am thinking I could go more often with a smaller (cheaper) room and it might not be so bad.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I thought we had PLENTY of room in our Deck 2 stateroom - and we had 2 kids with us!! We really only go to our cabin to sleep or change so I didnt mind not having a verandah at all - if I wanted to watch stuff - I could go up on deck anytime at all!! Although while the kids were asleep it would have been nice to go on the verandah = but not a huge deal!!

I will say it was REALLY noisy while we docked - particularly in St. Maarten - the other two seemed to go smoother - I am thinking higher up might make a difference

 

[J&C'sGrandmom]

I thought many times I was probably by someone from the board and didn't know it. I got one of those lime green lanyards that says Team Focker Watch from the WDW forum and wore it a couple of times with my key card in it but no one saw me or caught on to the lime green. It was a little less obvious than the green leis!

Those of you on deck 2 or an inside cabin, how small were those rooms? We were in a balcony but it felt pretty small to me. There was only about 1 foot on either side of the bed and then the couch and desk and tv across from it. There was room for a coffee table but it was always in the way when I tried to sit at the bench for the desk. DH and I had tomove out of each others way sometimes. So I am thinking I could go more often with a smaller (cheaper) room and it might not be so bad.

We usually always travel in an inside cabin. This last trip we were on deck 7 but we had two past trips on deck 2. It is true that depending on the location on deck 2 it can be really noisy when you dock. But, that was the only time we had any noise problems. This past trip we had three adults in an inside cabin and it was really fine. There was plenty of space and pulling the curtain between the areas really splits the stateroom up well. The space around the bed is limited but you get used to it. The same three of us are booked on the eastbound Panama Canal trip in August 2008 in an inside cabin. We would rather go more often in the smaller cabin. If you have any other questions just PM me.

Barbara