February 12, 2011 - 7 night Eastern

[seasideliz]

I have 2 8-year olds (Devan and Sydney) registered with Oceaneers Club and 1 11-year old (Brennan). The 11 year old wants to spend time in Quest/Edge for tweens but I can't find anywhere to preregister that. I got a note back from Disney that preregistration isn't required for this age group/tween club. does anyone else out there have a 11-13 year old? It would be fun to connect ahead of time so he knows someone.
Lori

HI Lori, My son just turned 11 and is a great kid - I also have 9 year old daughter - and 4 year old.
I did read that over age 9 they are allowed to sign themselves in and out of programs, which is great!

 

[ilovedevin]

I know that I am going to the Jewelry outlet in Philipsburg St. Maarten to hopefully get myself a Blue Diamond ring then going to the Guavaberry Emporium acoss the street to get my Guavaberry Rum YUM. We are also doing the Bernards tours while there.

 

[seasideliz]

I know that I am going to the Jewelry outlet in Philipsburg St. Maarten to hopefully get myself a Blue Diamond ring then going to the Guavaberry Emporium acoss the street to get my Guavaberry Rum YUM. We are also doing the Bernards tours while there.

Do tell about the Guavaberry Emporium and Blue Diamond ring?

I am also planning on booking Bernards! Do they go to this magical Blue Diamond ring place that you speak of ?

 

[Jess Warren]

That's a tough call. I would call DCL and find out more information. We had talked about maybe doing an excursion and leaving my younger 2 on the boat but decided against it but the thought of feeding them never crossed my mind. I would definitely check and double check before you are locked into the excursion. I'm excited to meet others that my two youngest will be playing with! I was worried at first that mine were going to be older than anyone in there and get bored. I also worried that I would look like a terrible parent for already booking my 18 hours.

Thanks- I felt bad for just a second about booking up all 18 of my hours in advance too... but it is our vacation as well! And our kids are going to love it in there. We aren't planning on doing an excursion at St Martin- my parents used to go every year, so they are quite familiar- so we are going to some of their old "haunts".

 

[ilovedevin]

I was just advised that the prittfamily will no longer be joining us....Those who are participating in the FE exchange please make note and delete them from your gift list. Sorry I do not have the detail's I just hope that everything is fine with their family.



Julie

 

[pajl]

I know that I am going to the Jewelry outlet in Philipsburg St. Maarten to hopefully get myself a Blue Diamond ring then going to the Guavaberry Emporium acoss the street to get my Guavaberry Rum YUM. We are also doing the Bernards tours while there.

ohhhh Just checked out more info on this shop...Radiant Gems?
(is this the one you are referring to?)
I definately am DUE for a new ring in my near future....

 

[ilovedevin]

I've heard good reviews for www.jewelryoutletsxm.com and www.ballerina-jewelers.com also the www.guavaberry.com guavaberry emporiam is across the street from the jewelry out. There is a section of conversation about blue diamond rings on CC just google blue diamond rings in St. Maarten





Hope all this helps sorry took so long to get back to ya


Julie

 

[noelk]

Yup...Palo for Feb. 14th was gone the moment I'd logged in at 12:00am...oh well...we'll also try once we get on board.

St. Martin is our favourite of the different ports we've been to! Great choices for beaches, shopping and culture.

On our trip there in 2008 we took a taxi from the pier to downtown Marigot (about 30 mins). Once there, we probably spent 2hr there - we especially liked the market, and did stop into a bakery for some true French pasteries.

Next, we took a taxi to Orient Beach. Had a great afternoon at a beach club there...probably spent another two hours there.

Last, we took a taxi to downtown Phillipsberg where we had plenty of time for a bite to eat and shopping...probably spent another two hours there before walking back to the ship.

Overall, you'll have plenty of time to have a significant visit to the French side...as mentioned by others above, I would be aware traffic can be crazy first thing in the morning when ships arrive, and just before ships depart. I'd probably go to Marigot in the morning and then slowly work your way back towards the ship. That way, if you end in Philipsburg, you know you're not far, regardless of traffic!

For this trip, in fact, we're thinking of renting a car, both to better accomodate the kids' car seats, and to have the flexibility to go from place to place as we please.

 

[blessedmomofboys]

So, for those that have been to St Maarten, how easy is it to get a taxi once your in Marigot? From what it sounds like it will be super easy to get a taxi from the port but curious about after you stop and want to go somewhere else.

I'm not sure if we will do any shopping in St. maarten. I'm thinking of just doing Le Gallion beach and trying to go to Maho beach to watch the planes.

What is everyone's plans for St. Thomas? My inlaws are going over to St John and going to try to hit Coral World before getting back on the boat. I'm thinking St. John will take up too much time. So, we are thinking about doing Coral World on our own in the morning, doing some shopping, and then the Skypoint Ride.

 

[noelk]

So, for those that have been to St Maarten, how easy is it to get a taxi once your in Marigot? From what it sounds like it will be super easy to get a taxi from the port but curious about after you stop and want to go somewhere else.

Actually, it was the opposite for us.

When you get off the ship, there's a transportation departure area with several stops/shelters depending on where you want to go on the island. They use mostly minibuses, where they load 7-10 people in to a common destination (e.g. orient beach, maho beach, downtown philipsberg) and then charge per person.

For us, we were the only ones who wanted to go to Marigot. We ended up waiting for them to find a 'regular' four-door taxi to take us as a 'hot shot' to Marigot...that said, I don't think the wait was more than 15 mins. More psychological then anything as you're standing there and seeing minibus after minibus of people leaving, heading elsewhere.

In Marigot, we found a taxi right in the centre of town...and it turned out to be a Lexus that drove us straight to Orient Beach.

Finally, in Orient Beach, there were plenty of minibuses, where they'd load 6-7 people in for the trip to downtown Philipsberg or straight back to the pier.

Noel

 

[pajl]

Since Sunday night...(luckily since I was abel to book some stuff at midnight..)
I have not been able to log on since..
it keeps telling me Server Error 500 or somethnig like that..
So frustrating!!!
Can anyone offer any suggestions...

Thanks!

 

[Beaker1967]

Hello There.... We just booked and paid in full to join you all on our sort of Back to back trip starting with the Magic and get off on the 19th and then the 20th jump on the Disney Dream so we are soooo excited and cant wait to meet up and have a drink or 2 or 3...LOL... BBC for me..(Baileys bananas and cream)....and the Mrs loves a konk cooler as well.....So we are Jeff(44)and Kathy(45) and hope everyone has a great day....ºoº

 

[ilovedevin]

Jeff and Kathy

 

[ilovedevin]

 

[TiredOfCold]

Welcome Jeff and Kathy! Looks like you are the most experienced Disney cruisers on this meet thread.
Julie (aka ilovedevin) has organized a meet for us on the ship, boarding day 3:00 pm Promenade Lounge. Look forward to meeting you both!

 

[seasideliz]

Yup...Palo for Feb. 14th was gone the moment I'd logged in at 12:00am...oh well...we'll also try once we get on board.

St. Martin is our favourite of the different ports we've been to! Great choices for beaches, shopping and culture.

On our trip there in 2008 we took a taxi from the pier to downtown Marigot (about 30 mins). Once there, we probably spent 2hr there - we especially liked the market, and did stop into a bakery for some true French pasteries.

Next, we took a taxi to Orient Beach. Had a great afternoon at a beach club there...probably spent another two hours there.

Last, we took a taxi to downtown Phillipsberg where we had plenty of time for a bite to eat and shopping...probably spent another two hours there before walking back to the ship.

Overall, you'll have plenty of time to have a significant visit to the French side...as mentioned by others above, I would be aware traffic can be crazy first thing in the morning when ships arrive, and just before ships depart. I'd probably go to Marigot in the morning and then slowly work your way back towards the ship. That way, if you end in Philipsburg, you know you're not far, regardless of traffic!

For this trip, in fact, we're thinking of renting a car, both to better accomodate the kids' car seats, and to have the flexibility to go from place to place as we please.

Will they fit 5 in a taxi ??
Otherwise we may rent a car as well.
My husband VETO'ed Bernards once we checked the price, he wants to rent a car or do taxi's for more flexibility.

 

[robinpgma]

WELCOME ABOARD Jeff & Kathy....

We are very excited you can join us.... meet you soon..... YIPPEEE!!!!! Getting closer & closer....


Robin

 

[capitalmom]

Hey everyone,

Just dropping in to say hello and welcome the newcomers Sorry I've been MIA the last little while - November was a crazy month for us, and lately I've been spending most of my "online" time trying to get my Christmas shopping done...

I can't believe our cruise is only 2 months away! It's really starting to feel like winter here - seems like the snow is on the ground to stay now, so I'm sure by February I'll really appreciate the sunshine... Thanks again to to Julie for all the work in organizing the FE - am hoping to use some of the time off over the holidays to finish (ok, start) making our gifts.

Danielle

 

[robinpgma]

Hey Danielle...you sound like me....I've gathered supplies for the FE but haven't even begun to think about finishing them until ???.... I have to get through this week first....I am in the process of making, assembling and decorating Bethany's 6th birthday cake for this Saturday.... She wants a Barbie doll cake....one with a REAL barbie in it..... the cakes are made...tonight starts the decorating....probably finishing Friday night....should be fun.....(PS I love decorating cakes).... Next is Christmas present buying and then .... I can think of the FE....

Have a great day all....
R

JULIE...thanks for organizing the FE ....

 

[Jax]

Just wanted to wish everyone a very merry Christmas, hope everyone is having a great day.

Can't wait to meet everyone in February!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!