Fantasy March 2-9, 2013 Western Caribbean Meet

[Beerfan]

Call DCL and they can add it on. I don't know if this late you can add it online.

thanks for the help, called DCL and they set the whole thing up for us.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

thanks for the help, called DCL and they set the whole thing up for us.

you are very welcome. Now, that being said...we actually rent a car for a total of $42 through Hertz. It is less expensive than the $106 Disney charges for the three of us.

 

[Mandersons04]

you are very welcome. Now, that being said...we actually rent a car for a total of $42 through Hertz. It is less expensive than the $106 Disney charges for the three of us.

Yeah I agree, renting a car is the cheapest option. We would rent a car but there are 13 (well 1 is an infant so really 12) of us and the cheapest option for us is a 14 passenger van. That costs my family of four $213 (gratuities and other charges) so we're sticking with DCL transportation because it's only a difference of $67. Yeah, it's $67 that could be used onboard but with this cruise and this many people, we're sticking with convenience. We're staying at the Hyatt MCO the night before so it's the simplest solution for us all. Oh, and we got the Hyatt MCO for only $110!!! I cannot wait until we cruise

 

[Emzed]

Hi. this is our third cruise (first one over four nights) and we are excited about having a whole week! I'm getting a lot of information from these boards but have never posted nor asked a direct question... until now. I've seen the "fish extenders" and only recently realized what they were for. Is there still time to take part? How much prep work is involved? What sorts of things do people place in them? I've checked online and everything people blog about seems wayyy too crafty for me! Do you provide something for each person in the cabin? How do you get involved?? I have more questions but I think I better save them for another post
Happy New Year!!

 

[Emzed]

Oh no... I just read some of the more recent (November) posts to this forum and it would seem that with still two months to go we are too late for the FE groups. Oh well. We only "received" the cruise for Christmas so we were at a disadvantage I guess. Actually everyone here seems like they might even know everyone else so I may have stumbled on to a "private" group and if so I apologize. I guess I'll just stick to perusing this site for information. If anyone has any tips for me (being late to this) I would appreciate it.

 

[Meriweather]

Oh no... I just read some of the more recent (November) posts to this forum and it would seem that with still two months to go we are too late for the FE groups. Oh well. We only "received" the cruise for Christmas so we were at a disadvantage I guess. Actually everyone here seems like they might even know everyone else so I may have stumbled on to a "private" group and if so I apologize. I guess I'll just stick to perusing this site for information. If anyone has any tips for me (being late to this) I would appreciate it.

Not sure if you can get in on the FE or not.............up to organizer.

It is not a private group.......I don't belong to the Face Book page and that is where most of the talking is going on, so I know no one, which is fine.
Looking forward to the cruise.
This thread is for everyone to talk...............just not much action on it.

 

[Mandersons04]

Is there still time to take part? How much prep work is involved? What sorts of things do people place in them? I've checked online and everything people blog about seems wayyy too crafty for me! Do you provide something for each person in the cabin? How do you get involved?? I have more questions but I think I better save them for another post
Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to you as well!! I'm excited you're joining us! This will be our 3rd cruise too but 1st time on the Fantasy. There is still time to join the FE group. Yay! It's really a lot of fun and the gifts you give are totally up to you. You can do a stateroom gift, individual gift, adult only gift, kid only gift; there are just so many options! The gifts don't have to be crafty at all, they can definitely be store bought. Any questions you have, just post them here or on the Facebook group page and you'll get LOTS of responses.

Oh no... I just read some of the more recent (November) posts to this forum and it would seem that with still two months to go we are too late for the FE groups. Oh well. We only "received" the cruise for Christmas so we were at a disadvantage I guess. Actually everyone here seems like they might even know everyone else so I may have stumbled on to a "private" group and if so I apologize. I guess I'll just stick to perusing this site for information. If anyone has any tips for me (being late to this) I would appreciate it.

It's not too late to join! And we're an AWESOME group so we love more cruisers! If you're interested in joining the FE, I'll need the following:

Names of everyone cruising (ages of kids too)
Stateroom number
And any special notes (celebrating a birthday/anniversary, allergies, etc)

Are you on Facebook? Come on over and join the group!

 

[Mandersons04]

I check and post to the Dis too so no one is left feeling as though they don't have a say in decisions being made. It is more chatting going on in the Facebook group but I make sure everyone has the same info. I look forward to meeting everyone on the ship!

And I know I posted this before but we are planning to have our Dis cruise meet at 3:30 in D-Lounge. I haven't finalized it yet because I want everyone to be able to give me their opinions on this but it's looking like this will be a good time and place.

The newest post on Facebook talks about the possibility of a premEAR of the new Oz movie. It comes out to theaters on March 8th so we're hoping they're going to show it at midnight on the cruise. My kiddies are excited about seeing the new movie. We love all things Oz. Haha!

 

[Melissa&Shawn]

Welcome Emzed!!! Wow maybe next year I'll ask for a Disney cruise for Chistmas! Welcome to our cruise board and look forward to chatting with you!

 

[mommysturn]

Oh no... I just read some of the more recent (November) posts to this forum and it would seem that with still two months to go we are too late for the FE groups. Oh well. We only "received" the cruise for Christmas so we were at a disadvantage I guess. Actually everyone here seems like they might even know everyone else so I may have stumbled on to a "private" group and if so I apologize. I guess I'll just stick to perusing this site for information. If anyone has any tips for me (being late to this) I would appreciate it.

We got our cruise for Christmas too. I stumbled upon this wonderful group right after that. I hope you feel very welcomed. They have been very helpful..
Everyone is here to help...

 

[Emzed]

Oh YAY! Thanks for the welcome
I am VERY excited about the cruise. My sister is going as well and, if there is still room, I know she would enjoy the FE fun as well.

In my cabin (10608) there is my self (Mary) and DH (Mike), Hannah (8), Elizabeth (6) and Joshua (4).
My sister (Margaret) and her family; DH Frank, Katie (12), Will (9) and Clara-Jean (6) are next door in 10606. If there is still room for them (?)

Has anyone been on the Fantasy before? We were on the Dream on both previous cruises. This is my sister's first ever cruise!

Any recommendations for Western Caribbean excursions?

 

[Mandersons04]

Oh YAY! Thanks for the welcome
I am VERY excited about the cruise. My sister is going as well and, if there is still room, I know she would enjoy the FE fun as well.

In my cabin (10608) there is my self (Mary) and DH (Mike), Hannah (8), Elizabeth (6) and Joshua (4).
My sister (Margaret) and her family; DH Frank, Katie (12), Will (9) and Clara-Jean (6) are next door in 10606. If there is still room for them (?)

Has anyone been on the Fantasy before? We were on the Dream on both previous cruises. This is my sister's first ever cruise!

Any recommendations for Western Caribbean excursions?

You've both been added to list 1! If you would like for me to send you the list via email, just send me your email address (you can PM it to me). Does your sister have a Disboards name?

As for excursions, what we're going is the City Tour in Grand Cayman and the Mayan Ruins Tour in Costa Maya, both with DCL. We were going to go with Native Choice for the Ruins Tour but my family (who most will be cruising for the first time) want to play it safe and stick with DCL. I've heard great things about Native Choice though.

We haven't decided on Cozumel as of yet. Was thinking about the Dolphin Encounter but not sure if I wanna save that money for onboard purchases. I know I've gotta make my mind up soon because it's gonna be here before we know it!

I do believe there are at least two people who have been on the Fantasy. Our first cruise was on the Dream and then the Magic. I can't wait to get on the Fantasy because I absolutely LOVED the Dream ship!

 

[Meriweather]

It is getting close!
This will be my 3rd Disney cruise. First 2 were on the Magic ..........Panama and Transatlantic. This will be my shortest Disney cruise
Looking forward to seeing the new ship.
It will be DD's first Disney cruise.

We have booked our excursions.....all through DCL

We're doing the Saltwater Forest in Grand Cayman,
Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya
and I am doing highlights and more ruins in Cozumel while DD does Off Road ATV and Beach

 

[Emzed]

You've both been added to list 1! If you would like for me to send you the list via email, just send me your email address (you can PM it to me). Does your sister have a Disboards name?

As for excursions, what we're going is the City Tour in Grand Cayman and the Mayan Ruins Tour in Costa Maya, both with DCL. We were going to go with Native Choice for the Ruins Tour but my family (who most will be cruising for the first time) want to play it safe and stick with DCL. I've heard great things about Native Choice though.

We haven't decided on Cozumel as of yet. Was thinking about the Dolphin Encounter but not sure if I wanna save that money for onboard purchases. I know I've gotta make my mind up soon because it's gonna be here before we know it!

I do believe there are at least two people who have been on the Fantasy. Our first cruise was on the Dream and then the Magic. I can't wait to get on the Fantasy because I absolutely LOVED the Dream ship!

I have a few more posts to make before I can send a PM but I'll hopefully have that completed before the end of the day (look! here's one more already!)

I have a Pirate's Night "make-over" booked at the BBB as well as a brunch onboard. We also booked a Dolphin Encounter on Grand Cayman (anyone ever done this?). I wasn't sure about the Mayan Ruins tour on Costa Maya as we have a four-year old and I was unsure whether that would be too long a day or too much walking. Anyone know about this?? I was also considering the Native Choice but wasn't sure for similar reasons (although I've heard great things); but the stay at Costa Maya is brief and who wants to take a chance on literally missing the boat?!?.

 

[Emzed]

I know this is a longshot... has anyone ever booked a Castaway Cay cabana ON BOARD? I had wanted to book one and when the window opened for Silver.. you guessed it: Sold Out

Do they ever come available afterwards? Are there more that open up for booking onboard? Does anyone ever cancel? IS anyone here considering cancelling??

It is not a huge deal. We can certainly use that money for excursions or onboard. There is a group of us though and we thought it would be nice. Is there somewhere on Castaway Cay for Seniors to sit; somewhere shady perhaps? I've been there before but this time we are traveling with my Mom (80's) and I've never looked at the island with that in mind. Any help with either situation would be appreciated

 

[Mandersons04]

I wasn't sure about the Mayan Ruins tour on Costa Maya as we have a four-year old and I was unsure whether that would be too long a day or too much walking. Anyone know about this?? I was also considering the Native Choice but wasn't sure for similar reasons (although I've heard great things); but the stay at Costa Maya is brief and who wants to take a chance on literally missing the boat?!?.

Yeah, I was a little concerned about this tour as I have a 6 and a 4 year old (actually he'd have just turned 5 the day before, yay!) but I've heard that it's not bad for the kids. I did read that some of the kids that age were bored, but I think mine will be okay. Or rather, they don't really have much of a choice

And the short port time is the ONLY reason we're not doing Native Choice. I could have gone either way with it, but the other 10 people I'm traveling with said no way, so since I dragged everyone on this cruise, I figured I'd at elast give in to this one request.

I'm just cracking myself up today!

I know this is a longshot... has anyone ever booked a Castaway Cay cabana ON BOARD? I had wanted to book one and when the window opened for Silver.. you guessed it: Sold Out

Do they ever come available afterwards? Are there more that open up for booking onboard? Does anyone ever cancel? IS anyone here considering cancelling??

It is not a huge deal. We can certainly use that money for excursions or onboard. There is a group of us though and we thought it would be nice. Is there somewhere on Castaway Cay for Seniors to sit; somewhere shady perhaps? I've been there before but this time we are traveling with my Mom (80's) and I've never looked at the island with that in mind. Any help with either situation would be appreciated

I'm not sure if they become available. Sometimes they do, at least I've read on the Dis but you've gotta be checking it constantly or just luck up on one being available. You can put your name on the wait list when you board but they typically offer it to concierge guests first. So if you want to get on the list, I'd try to get on board ASAP.

As for Castaway Cay, there are plenty of beach chairs under umbrellas. We never had a problem getting a chair with shade. I'm sure others will chime in.

 

[jhagan0923]

Just booked our Fantasy cruise today! SOOO excited! We sailed the Dream in 2011 and loved it! This was a last minute trip decided on today!

Is it too late to get involved in the FE exchange? We had so much fun when we did it on the Dream. Our info is below if we aren't too late to join.

Cabin 5032
Joanna-37
Thomas-37
Titus-8 (boy)

Cabin 5030
James-66
Janice-68

Can't wait to start planning for our cruise!

 

[Mandersons04]

Just booked our Fantasy cruise today! SOOO excited! We sailed the Dream in 2011 and loved it! This was a last minute trip decided on today!

Is it too late to get involved in the FE exchange? We had so much fun when we did it on the Dream. Our info is below if we aren't too late to join.

Cabin 5032
Joanna-37
Thomas-37
Titus-8 (boy)

Cabin 5030
James-66
Janice-68

Can't wait to start planning for our cruise!

I believe you've been added!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Mandersons04]

The FE lists have officially been closed. Yay!!! Please send me your email addresses so I can send out the final list. If anyone adds at this point, they'll have to go on a separate list. It's getting closer and closer!!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Mandersons04]

The lists have not only been closed but they've also been finalized!

I've sent out the lists to those who have asked (I hope). If you would like for me to email you the list or you still haven't received one, just send me your email address and I'll make sure it gets to you.