Fantasy February 16, 2013 - 7 Night Western Cruise Meet

[Smittycait]

My kids are more excited for this cruise than I think they've ever been for any vacation. That makes me so happy. My DS13 asked me how many more weeks till we leave and I said 3 1/2 and he said "oohh...that's so far away!" I just wish airfare had come down a bit so I could convince DH to fly....but no such luck. Looks like we are going to . I really hate driving....I don't sleep well when DH is driving and therefore I'm more tired than I should be when I'm driving. Not to mention....all that wasted time driving! Oh well....just glad we have the option of driving....and really glad we have 3rd row seats...one child in the 2nd row, one child in the 3rd row = less bickering between said children.

My Dh doesn't fly so we're driving too...20 hour drive. I don't sleep at all when dh drives...I just can't sleep at all in cars...so maybe here's what you should do b/c it's what we're doing. The day we leave I take a nap so I'm good and rested and then I drive first until I can't take it anymore (usually about 7-9 hours) then dh (who can sleep in cars) is rested and ready to take over. By the time he's beat I am rested enough to do a couple hours to give him a nap and then when he wakes up he does the rest. And remember...there is NOTHING wrong with stopping and getting g a hotel if you need it. Good luck!

 

[DizJohn]

Fish Extender bags packed labeled and put in a box ready to go...

Today's Temp in Clinton CT 23 with wind chills of 9..

Today's Temp in Port Canaveral 63 George Town Cayman Islands 81 Cozumel 70 Castaway Cay 73 Costa Maya 70

 

[Smittycait]

Question to experienced cruisers. When I look at the pictures of the couple's Villa in the spa online...it shows a balcony and what looks like a private hot tub. Do you get this with any couple's package (ie couple's massage) or is it only with the ultimate indulgence? Also question about upgrades...we came into a nice chunk of cash and we're heavily considering updating to consierge, but online they're not showing any available ...do they hold some back so people can upgrade at the port, do I call my ta? How do you do this? LOL.

 

[DarthTod]

Today's Temp in Port Canaveral 63 George Town Cayman Islands 81 Cozumel 70 Castaway Cay 73 Costa Maya 70

Speaking of temperatures: how about some water temps? Here are the NOAA surface temp charts for the areas we will be visiting.

Gulf of Mexico: Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, and Cozumel are all on this one and look pretty darn nice.

South Atlantic: Castaway Cay and Grand Cayman are on here, CC is in the green which is around 73 deg. F. Maybe a little chilly for some, but 30 degrees warmer than my neck of the woods right now, and one of my employees went surfing over the weekend so it's all relative.

mic:note that these links should automatically show the data of the day, my subjective comments may not apply on the day you read this.)

 

[erinsmom03]

I'll take those temps today! It is beyond cold here is Michigan! I'm not sure if the high temp got above 10 degrees...and the wind chill is like 15 below zero... brrr!!!!!!!

 

[Disney1430]

I'll take those temps today! It is beyond cold here is Michigan! I'm not sure if the high temp got above 10 degrees...and the wind chill is like 15 below zero... brrr!!!!!!!

We got it better here only -2 with the wind chil factor, but that was the low ~ cant wait to get to the

 

[Disney1430]

Question to experienced cruisers. When I look at the pictures of the couple's Villa in the spa online...it shows a balcony and what looks like a private hot tub. Do you get this with any couple's package (ie couple's massage) or is it only with the ultimate indulgence? Also question about upgrades...we came into a nice chunk of cash and we're heavily considering updating to consierge, but online they're not showing any available ...do they hold some back so people can upgrade at the port, do I call my ta? How do you do this? LOL.

CONGRATULATIONS

I would call your TA - They do sometimes have upgrades at the port, but not always and most likely not to consierge.

 

[Jennifer_W]

I'll take those temps today! It is beyond cold here is Michigan! I'm not sure if the high temp got above 10 degrees...and the wind chill is like 15 below zero... brrr!!!!!!!

I hear ya! Today when I got up it was MINUS 21. WITHOUT WINDCHILL!

 

[CastawayClubCruisers]

Question to experienced cruisers. When I look at the pictures of the couple's Villa in the spa online...it shows a balcony and what looks like a private hot tub. Do you get this with any couple's package (ie couple's massage) or is it only with the ultimate indulgence? Also question about upgrades...we came into a nice chunk of cash and we're heavily considering updating to consierge, but online they're not showing any available ...do they hold some back so people can upgrade at the port, do I call my ta? How do you do this? LOL.

The balcony and got tub are not included in the couples massage.

 

[erinsmom03]

We got it better here only -2 with the wind chil factor, but that was the low ~ cant wait to get to the

Sounds like you're having a real heat wave!

I can't wait either!

 

[erinsmom03]

I hear ya! Today when I got up it was MINUS 21. WITHOUT WINDCHILL!

BRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! I hope you warm up soon, you're weather usually heads our direction! (And, thankfully, is often a little warmer by the time it gets here! ) My brother lived in Minneapolis for a few years, we used to joke that he could often forecast our weather.

 

[DizJohn]

Very quiet in here for being 22 days away

 

[silmarg]

Very quiet in here for being 22 days away

uggg... I am sick as a dog!

 

[kshark1958]

Dress code question. I know all about the dress code for MDR at dinner, Palo and Remys. But while I was watching some video on the DCL website about the adult clubs I noticed in most of the club shots people were wearing semi dressy clothes.Is their a dress code for the adult clubs.

 

[kk92476]

Dress code question. I know all about the dress code for MDR at dinner, Palo and Remys. But while I was watching some video on the DCL website about the adult clubs I noticed in most of the club shots people were wearing semi dressy clothes.Is their a dress code for the adult clubs.

I imagine the clubs follow the same rules as the dining rooms...no sneakers, shorts, etc... though I think in general people choose to dress up a little more because it makes it feel more special. No one goes clubbing in a t shirt! Though I don't think you'd be turned away or anything...

 

[FREEZIN]

uggg... I am sick as a dog!

Get better quick,we're going on a cruise!

 

[DizDragonfly]

Dress code question. I know all about the dress code for MDR at dinner, Palo and Remys. But while I was watching some video on the DCL website about the adult clubs I noticed in most of the club shots people were wearing semi dressy clothes.Is their a dress code for the adult clubs.

There's no dress code that I could find. I saw folks in casual clothes and I saw folks in dressier clothes. Lots of people are coming straight to the clubs from their late dining seating. Wear something you feel comfortable in (physically and emotionally!) and have a good time!

 

[robhawk]

uggg... I am sick as a dog!

Hope you feel better! Just got over it. Not fun!

Has anyone requested a certain dining rotation? Last cruise on the Magic, I liked being in Lumieres for the formal nights.

 

[jcarwash]

Has anyone requested a certain dining rotation? Last cruise on the Magic, I liked being in Lumieres for the formal nights.

Yes, I had my travel agent add this rotation request: AERAEER

If we get it, it works best with our overall plans.

For reference the rotations and nights on our itinerary are:
RAERAAE
AERAEER
ERAERRA

R=Royal Court
A=Animator's Palate
E=Enchanted Garden

Night 1 - Rotation menu /Crush if in AP
Night 2 - Rotation menu [formal night] /Crush if in AP
Night 3 - Rotation menu /Crush if in AP
Night 4 - Prince & Princess menu / Animation if in AP
Night 5 - Pirate menu
Night 6 - Captain's Gala [semiformal night] / Animation if in AP
Night 7 - See You Real Soon menu / Animation if in AP

 

[joker66]

After reading about upgrades, I checked it out and found a number of Cat4 rooms available. Was able to upgrade from Cat5b to Cat4b for only $189.00. Can't wait to see the extra room. Last year on Magic it was kind of tight with 14 y.o.DD and 12 y.o. DS. I think this will be well worth it.