Feb.13th(lucky for some) 2010 Eastern Valentines Cruise - The Love Boat Sails Again !

[jblrn2b]

Hi Judith,
I see you are from Brookline - I am from Gardner. I agree that the airfare prices are crazy from our area. Try some booking sites like Kayak , Sidestep, BookingBuddy, etc. Another thing to try is to buy your departure and return airfares separately. It doesn't always prove cheaper, but sometimes it is. We are flying US Air on the 12th and Delta on the 20th, both out of/ in to Logan. Of course, if you're brave and can stand to wait, Southwest (Manchester or Providence) and Jet Blue still won't post February fares for a couple months. I always say that I'll wait for them, but then get all worked up about it and frantically search for something we can live with.

By the way, if you were on Lisa's (RantnnRavn) last cruise, we were there too.... the infamous "Showers of Happiness" cruise with HyperMommy coordinating all the pre-cruise thread photos and lists.

Good luck with the airfare search!

Karen

Well hello Neighbor!!!! I was wondering where you were from.

Thanks for your tips. I usually book jetblue because I have reward points but maybe I should branch out. How much were your flights?

Was Hypermommy the person who won the cruise? If so our dining table was right next to each other. How funny we were on the same cruise - we probably walked right by each other. How old are your kids they were probably in the clubs with each other? My oldest Jason was 13 now 14 and my youngest Drew was 8 now 9.

How was the weather in Feb? Was it rockier than April? So looking forward to the cruise - its whats getting me through. I have worked 3 out of 5 nights in a row and I am so tired but that thought of the Magic puts a smile on my face - silly I know.

Patricia - Maybe I should put a post up for the fishing excusion as we get closer - I am thinking my boys can fish and I can beach/shop!!!! I just ordered my new Passporter should get it any day!!! Its funny they didn't have it at Barnes and Nobles.

Thanks for your flight tips and excursion tips.

Have a great day!

Judith

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Well hello Neighbor!!!! I was wondering where you were from.


How was the weather in Feb? Was it rockier than April? So looking forward to the cruise - its whats getting me through. I have worked 3 out of 5 nights in a row and I am so tired but that thought of the Magic puts a smile on my face - silly I know.

Patricia - Maybe I should put a post up for the fishing excusion as we get closer - I am thinking my boys can fish and I can beach/shop!!!! I just ordered my new Passporter should get it any day!!! Its funny they didn't have it at Barnes and Nobles.


Judith

The ship was rocky one night kinda late. Other than that, I thought the weather was perfect. CC water was a bit cold, & the beach day was windy. Again I thought it was perfect beach weather. The sun was very strong.

Good ideal about the fishing excursions post. I will be traveling with my DD who is 14 & her girlfriend also 14 (they will be 15 on the cruise)
Last year, the stack really kept the teens busy to all hours of the night. My DD had the time of her life. She still keeps in touch with the kids.

I think there is a teen face book for DCL [Disney Cruise Line] Magic Feburary 13th 2010
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54879837947

Have a great weekend

 

[jblrn2b]

The ship was rocky one night kinda late. Other than that, I thought the weather was perfect. CC water was a bit cold, & the beach day was windy. Again I thought it was perfect beach weather. The sun was very strong.

Good ideal about the fishing excursions post. I will be traveling with my DD who is 14 & her girlfriend also 14 (they will be 15 on the cruise)
Last year, the stack really kept the teens busy to all hours of the night. My DD had the time of her life. She still keeps in touch with the kids.

I think there is a teen face book for DCL [Disney Cruise Line] Magic Feburary 13th 2010
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=54879837947


Have a great weekend

Patricia:

Jason will be 15 in a few weeks - where does the time go. Thanks for the facebook connection - he will love that. Our kids will meet for sure.

Jason was out late last Magic Cruise but Drew my littlest had to be dragged from the club - LOL!!

You have a great weekend as well.

Judith

 

[Wachsdds]

We are returning to the President's Week Eastern Cruise for the third consecutive year. This actually will be our 9th DCL cruise. We love disney and DCL can you tell. They just do it so well. Last February, we felt guilty putting our princess(at that time she was 1 1/2) into daycare for the evening, while the rest of the family enjoyed a dinner without food flying at my 6 year old. When we arrived to pick her up from the nursery at 10:30, we found her sitting on Cinderella's dress holding her princess purse on her arm and chatting up a storm with Cinderella. Cinderella turned to us and said that they were having a wonderful conversation that she had know idea what is was about especially since my daughter couldn't talk yet! The moment was truely Disney Magical.

This trip I will be travelling with DW, DS10, DS7, DS4, and Disney Princess2. We also will have a DFIL and step brother.

I know it seems to be a long way away, but it really is right around the corner before you know it. Has anyone started packing!!!!

 

[MassDisLovers]

Well hello Neighbor!!!! I was wondering where you were from.

Thanks for your tips. I usually book jetblue because I have reward points but maybe I should branch out. How much were your flights?

Was Hypermommy the person who won the cruise? If so our dining table was right next to each other. How funny we were on the same cruise - we probably walked right by each other. How old are your kids they were probably in the clubs with each other? My oldest Jason was 13 now 14 and my youngest Drew was 8 now 9.

Judith

We will only be traveling with our daughters, Kelly will be 17, a junior in high school, and Meaghan will be a sophomore in college. Although it won't be Meg's school break, she can't bear for us to go on a Disney cruise without her, so she will make arrangements with her professors in advance. She's a good student, so we hope it will all work out. Our sons are older, and working. We did this same cruise President's week several years back and the weather was "iffy" - cool and overcast for most of the week. As Patricia said, our CC day also was cool, but we made the best it it. We prefer to travel during the MA April school vacation week, but Kelly has a school trip that week, so we'll try February again. This year we were in WDW President's week, and again, it was cool most days, but perfect for running around a theme park. On a cruise I prefer it to be warmer!

Yes, HyperMommy was the one who won the cruise. We still keep in touch, she's planning a double dip in November.

I booked our departure and return flights separately, one was slightly higher than the other, but they totaled about $280.00 pp round trip. We go out on US Air Friday morning (12th) and return on Delta mid-afternoon Saturday the 20th. I checked the other day and those flights are both now about $160.00 each so they have gone up, but not much. When we travel in the winter, I try to get non-stop flights, at least for the departure from Boston, or get a connection that isn't in another snowy place . We are connecting in Washington, so hopefully that will be OK.

 

[jblrn2b]

We will only be traveling with our daughters, Kelly will be 17, a junior in high school, and Meaghan will be a sophomore in college. Although it won't be Meg's school break, she can't bear for us to go on a Disney cruise without her, so she will make arrangements with her professors in advance. She's a good student, so we hope it will all work out. Our sons are older, and working. We did this same cruise President's week several years back and the weather was "iffy" - cool and overcast for most of the week. As Patricia said, our CC day also was cool, but we made the best it it. We prefer to travel during the MA April school vacation week, but Kelly has a school trip that week, so we'll try February again. This year we were in WDW President's week, and again, it was cool most days, but perfect for running around a theme park. On a cruise I prefer it to be warmer!

Yes, HyperMommy was the one who won the cruise. We still keep in touch, she's planning a double dip in November.

I booked our departure and return flights separately, one was slightly higher than the other, but they totaled about $280.00 pp round trip. We go out on US Air Friday morning (12th) and return on Delta mid-afternoon Saturday the 20th. I checked the other day and those flights are both now about $160.00 each so they have gone up, but not much. When we travel in the winter, I try to get non-stop flights, at least for the departure from Boston, or get a connection that isn't in another snowy place . We are connecting in Washington, so hopefully that will be OK.

Hi Karen! We prefer to travel in April as well but Jason my high school freshman made the varsity lacrosse team and so we won't be traveling on April vaca for at least 3 more years - boo hiss. I took the boys to WDW this Feb Vaca also and it was cool in Florida but it made riding the rides comfy. It was also our first trip as DVC members! We went to SSR and had a great trip. Can't wait to visit our home resort AKL!

In Feb we had a stop in Wash and were delayed 5 hours - NEVER AGAIN!!!! LOL!


Hi Wachsdds! You can give us Eastern tips!!!!! This is our Third DCL, one Wonder and two Magic! Disney does do it best - DH won't even try another! What a cute little story about your 1 1/2 yr old - nothing like the Disney Magic! I have to say I always felt safe with my kids in the
clubs. I am sure my DS#2 age 9 will meet your DS10 in the clubs!

I am already packed!!! Except for that dress that I have to lose 10 for - LOL! I may have to go shopping oh bummer!

Have a Magical Day everyone!
Judith

 

[MassDisLovers]

Oh boy... 5 hour delay in Washington.... Hopefully we'll have better luck. But, at least we're going on Friday, not Saturday. We are using points to stay at BDWK Friday night, and are leaning towards taking the ME from the airport and then taking a DCL bus to the port on Saturday. We really haven't decided if we want to go through the hassle of renting a car. I will try not to worry about this for the next 9 months

 

[jblrn2b]

Oh boy... 5 hour delay in Washington.... Hopefully we'll have better luck. But, at least we're going on Friday, not Saturday. We are using points to stay at BDWK Friday night, and are leaning towards taking the ME from the airport and then taking a DCL bus to the port on Saturday. We really haven't decided if we want to go through the hassle of renting a car. I will try not to worry about this for the next 9 months

We are going on Wednes prior to the cruise and staying on points at AKL Kidani!!! can't wait for DH to see it. I am taking the boys in November to Kidani for a few days but DH probably won't be able to go. We will take ME to AKL and DCL ME to the port because we paid a lot for a town car from a certain limo comp last Magic trip that wasn't so good - they told us they could pick us up at our Poly room - which Disney doesn't allow so we had to drag our suitcases to the GCH which didn't make DH happy and then they were 45 minutes late to pick us up after Disembarkation - DH NOT HAPPY!!! Our friends that took ME after disembarkation beat us to the airport - DH said never again. The part about picking us up at our room they should know - they advertise on a certain other board all the time so you'd think they know their business.

I love it when you said "I'll try not to worry about it for the next 9 months!!!" LOL - I worry about every detail also!

Hope your having a magical day! I just returned from the Natick Mall with my friend who is going on the cruise with us also. Needless to say, we did some "cruisewear" shopping!

Have a great day
Judith

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We are returning to the President's Week Eastern Cruise for the third consecutive year. This actually will be our 9th DCL cruise. We love disney and DCL can you tell. They just do it so well. Last February, we felt guilty putting our princess(at that time she was 1 1/2) into daycare for the evening, while the rest of the family enjoyed a dinner without food flying at my 6 year old. When we arrived to pick her up from the nursery at 10:30, we found her sitting on Cinderella's dress holding her princess purse on her arm and chatting up a storm with Cinderella. Cinderella turned to us and said that they were having a wonderful conversation that she had know idea what is was about especially since my daughter couldn't talk yet! The moment was truely Disney Magical.

This trip I will be travelling with DW, DS10, DS7, DS4, and Disney Princess2. We also will have a DFIL and step brother.

I know it seems to be a long way away, but it really is right around the corner before you know it. Has anyone started packing!!!!

Hi There~
Were you guys at the Disney meet? It was a great cruise!!!! Near perfect.(except for that one rocky night )

Oh boy... 5 hour delay in Washington.... Hopefully we'll have better luck. But, at least we're going on Friday, not Saturday. We are using points to stay at BDWK Friday night, and are leaning towards taking the ME from the airport and then taking a DCL bus to the port on Saturday. We really haven't decided if we want to go through the hassle of renting a car. I will try not to worry about this for the next 9 months

Can I give you advice, reserve your rent a car now, & cancel it 24 hours before the cruise. Last year, the closer to our cruise date the higher the price was. I paid 25.00 for the day, the same car went up to 100.00

 

[MassDisLovers]

Hi There~
Can I give you advice, reserve your rent a car now, & cancel it 24 hours before the cruise. Last year, the closer to our cruise date the higher the price was. I paid 25.00 for the day, the same car went up to 100.00

Thanks, Patricia. Did it today. Are you SURE you're not a travel agent???

And Judith, next time you're at the Natick Mall, stop in to "The Tinker's Cart", an Irish import store (second level next to "Build A Bear") and say hello to my very good friend Cheryl who is the owner. She's a DVC member also, and we usually cruise DCL with her and her family. Tell her we met on the DisBoards...... she'll love that, she's the one who got me started years ago! It truly is a very small world!

 

[jblrn2b]

And Judith, next time you're at the Natick Mall, stop in to "The Tinker's Cart", an Irish import store (second level next to "Build A Bear") and say hello to my very good friend Cheryl who is the owner. She's a DVC member also, and we usually cruise DCL with her and her family. Tell her we met on the DisBoards...... she'll love that, she's the one who got me started years ago! It truly is a very small world!

Oh how funny!!! I saw that store yesterday although I didn't go in. I'll be sure to do that!

I wish Jetblue rates would come out - why do they do that to me!!!!

Have a magical day everyone.
Judith

 

[MassDisLovers]

I wish Jetblue rates would come out - why do they do that to me!!!!

Have a magical day everyone.
Judith

I believe that JetBlue and Southwest do that to test our patience and endurance. You see, I know this because I have already failed their test .... I buckled and bought "OK, but not great" airfare. You are winning and will probably have cheaper, better airfare for your prize!
Hang Tough... you can do it!

 

[jblrn2b]

I believe that JetBlue and Southwest do that to test our patience and endurance. You see, I know this because I have already failed their test .... I buckled and bought "OK, but not great" airfare. You are winning and will probably have cheaper, better airfare for your prize!
Hang Tough... you can do it!

I don't know your rate isn't so bad.

But the thing is they suck you in because I have a JETBLUE "CARD" blah blah blah. I do have to say that we do like flying Jetblue or we wouldn't have gotten the card.

I am trying to be tough - I will probably cave sometime in the middle of the night (I work nights)just wanting to know when the flights are - its the OCD in me.

Have a magical day
Judith

 

[MassDisLovers]

I don't know your rate isn't so bad.
I am trying to be tough - I will probably cave sometime in the middle of the night (I work nights)just wanting to know when the flights are - its the OCD in me.

Have a magical day
Judith

Oh, yes, I am also familiar with this ailment. I have been known to go to their sites weeks in advance, and put in fake dates just to see what the schedule looks like on whatever day of the week we intend to depart, so I can plan out which flight I am going to try to grab. Yes, I too have it pretty bad. Even worse, I have to keep my "problem" from DH as he has no patience for my crazy, compulsive searching (more evidence that this is a true problem) . Do you think there's a 12 step program for it?

 

[jblrn2b]

Oh, yes, I am also familiar with this ailment. I have been known to go to their sites weeks in advance, and put in fake dates just to see what the schedule looks like on whatever day of the week we intend to depart, so I can plan out which flight I am going to try to grab. Yes, I too have it pretty bad. Even worse, I have to keep my "problem" from DH as he has no patience for my crazy, compulsive searching (more evidence that this is a true problem) . Do you think there's a 12 step program for it?

The first step is admitting your problem.

I do this all the time also! At work - rates go down in the middle of the night- I check the rates change the days, think about adding on nights, etc.

I was just walking with a friend who has done the Eastern - she said the beach that is walkable from ship in St. Marten is touristy but still nice. I always debate whether I should book with Disney or with some other comp - but I'm always nervous that we won't get back or something will happen. - OCD happening again.

Off to get the boys - Have a magical day.
Judith

 

[MassDisLovers]

I was just walking with a friend who has done the Eastern - she said the beach that is walkable from ship in St. Marten is touristy but still nice. I always debate whether I should book with Disney or with some other comp - but I'm always nervous that we won't get back or something will happen. - OCD happening again.

Off to get the boys - Have a magical day.
Judith

That beach is called "Great Bay Beach". It's pretty nice, clean, soft sand and there are shops and food nearby. We ended up there one other time after a tour, simply because it was so close to the ship, so there was no fear about being late. Since we've been to St. Maarten several times already, and have done the basic touristy things, we are thinking that this is how we'll spend that day. I think we rented chairs and an umbrella when we were last there. It couldn't have been too expensive, because I don't recall it being anything out of the ordinary. Could be a very low-budget day!

 

[PURTYPAT1]

We went with Disney to the French Riveria beach. It was simply magnificent.

 

[jblrn2b]

Ok my Gurus!!!! So many choices! Maybe I'll charter a boat for the boys to fish and plop myself on Great Bay Beach or the French Riveria looked good too. I am obsessing way too much today! Good thing I have to work tonight.

Thanks Patricia and Karen.

Have a good night
Judith

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Judith,

On port days they had some "really fun things" going on the ship for the teens. DD really wanted to stay with the activies on the ship. I prepaid for our beach, so she was going. She was not happy.

I was suprised the club keeps the kids out really late with activies. (I guess to keep them out of trouble) DD had a hard time getting up in the mornings.

She really had the time of her life!!

 

[jblrn2b]

Hi Patricia. Jason my teenager had a blast too! He ended up meeting friends that he still text messages/emails at least once a wk. The funny thing was my 8 (next trip he'll be 10)yr old Drew who I had to DRAG out of the clubs at 1am. We hardly saw him.

We saw Jason more because he loves to eat and would eat with us in the Dining Rooms and then eat on his own - LOL. The clubs are awesome for sure but you bring up a very good point - maybe I'll just wait and book onboard some excursion so that if they want to stay they can. MMMMM more tips from my Eastern gurus.

Hope your having a magical day.
Can't wait for DCL!
Judith