February 17, 2007

[MichiganMouse]

We received a packet of info in the mail yesterday (excursions...). We were so excited!! Has anyone decided on excursions. We have changed our flight down to the 16th and are staying at the Hyatt at the airport and then using the DCL transfer to the port. My husband and I joined a gym to get in shape. What is it about going on a cruise that inspires weight loss? Probably all the good food we know we will be enjoying.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Sue,
I was at Universal about 2 1/2 years ago and I thought it was great for my kids. They were 9 and 6. I would like to go back. My girlfriend just went there a month ago with her two DD8 and DS11. They LOVED it also. My favorite ride was E.T. It was fantastic.
It's missing the mouse magic but the rides are really great. We didn't do Island of Adventure then because my son was a bit young and we only had one day. But my girlfriend did and they really enjoyed it. She is pretty picky too.

Hope this is helpful!

We are flying down on the 14th also and will spend some time at the parks and possibly Universal also. I was trying to decide if we should go to the Kennedy Space center. We have left over tickets for Disney so we may do a day there too.

I am becoming so excited about our cruise!!! Yipeeeee!

Thanks for the info. My TA is going to get back to me Monday or Tuesday with a few different ideas for WDW or UNV. My kids will be thrilled with either, but we are leaning towards UNV. Now that I can plan more parts of the trip I am getting overly excited again.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We received a packet of info in the mail yesterday (excursions...). We were so excited!! Has anyone decided on excursions. We have changed our flight down to the 16th and are staying at the Hyatt at the airport and then using the DCL transfer to the port. My husband and I joined a gym to get in shape. What is it about going on a cruise that inspires weight loss? Probably all the good food we know we will be enjoying.

Who was the packet from? We have just been checking them out on line. We have some thoughts, but nothing definite. DS15 is open water certified and wants to SCUBA dive, but I don't think he can without an adult. Neither DH or I are certified. I am looking into that for him. Parasailing at CC is a possibility. DH and I may do the kayak tour at CC. Snorkeling at St. John is probable. We just have to narrow down our choices.

 

[Dreamer04]

I've gone online on the ship and checked in for Jetblue-also printed out my boarding passes. Its really not expensive and sooo worth it-if you assign a dollar value to time and aggravation. Its really wonderful especially since Jetblue has curbside check-in. Drop the bags and we're off to security!

 

[PhotoLisa]

Who was the packet from? We have just been checking them out on line. We have some thoughts, but nothing definite. DS15 is open water certified and wants to SCUBA dive, but I don't think he can without an adult. Neither DH or I are certified. I am looking into that for him. Parasailing at CC is a possibility. DH and I may do the kayak tour at CC. Snorkeling at St. John is probable. We just have to narrow down our choices.

I received a packet too! I don't know if it came USPS on Saturday or today but it was in the mailbox today.

Disney is really getting on the ball!

Does anyone have the times of the excursions? I know I've found that information for our past Disney cruises but can't locate that info now.

Lisa

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Are the times on the DCL site? I don't think they are. It may be a question to ask on the main forum.
No packet for me yet but I'll keep looking!!

 

[pooh4us]

We got our packet today! YIPEE! It finally seems like it is happening... I have the date to book the excursions on my calendar! I haven't seen anything on the times of the excursions. Have all of you gotten your passporter's guide book? It has some great info.
Also I am really trying to figure out how to pick the day we book Palo for brunch and dinner. Wish I knew our seating rotation. YIKES!

 

[PhotoLisa]

I found the excursion times! The only thing is that I don't know how current this is . . . however, at least its a start.

http://dcltribute.com/excursions/stmaarten.htm
http://dcltribute.com/excursions/stthomas.htm
http://dcltribute.com/excursions/castcay.htm

 

[PhotoLisa]

If anyone finds another source for excursion times, please share it as well so we can share the validity of the ones I posted.

Here is another source . . . valid at least up until 4/2006
http://www.castawayclub.com/ -- towards the bottom on the right column, click on Eastern & Western Excursions below the purple Excursions/Shopping title bar.

 

[christinou]

Yeah, we also got our package, it does seem now that it will happen soon......
I wanted to do the Doublon Sail and Snorkle in St. Thomas, but it seems that it is only at 12:15, and I really wanted a morning tour, so I am not sure what we will do.
St. Marteen, I am just planning a beach day on our own.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Yeah, we also got our package, it does seem now that it will happen soon......
I wanted to do the Doublon Sail and Snorkle in St. Thomas, but it seems that it is only at 12:15, and I really wanted a morning tour, so I am not sure what we will do.
St. Marteen, I am just planning a beach day on our own.

Have you ever done the Doubloon before? We absolutely LOVE that excursion. One advantage (depending on what you like) is that you return to the boat in the afternoon happy and giggly if you have partaken in the rum punch and beer. I think their goal after taking you to snorkel is to get you wobbly before you return to the dock. The first time we did their excursion, we sat on the deck "as is" for sailaway.

The Doubloon excursion is the sole reason we scheduled late seating for dinner.

http://www.doubloon.com/

Lisa

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We got our packet today too!! Not any new information since I spend so much time on these boards but fun to look at all the same. I put Nov 19 on my calendar too!!

It was a bright spot in a lousy day. We just found out we need to replace our septic system (UGGH!!). I keep reminding myself I would rather have to remortgage my house for a septic system than to have anyone in my family be seroiusly ill. It definitely puts things into perspective.

We also went ahead and booked a mini trip to Universal before the cruise. I am eagerly awaiting the confirmation from my TA. The cost is about $600 cheaper than doing the same time at Disney. We are staying at the Hard Rock Hotel in Universal--I think my kids will really like that. We will be there the 14th and 15th, and after the park closes on the 16th, we will head down to the Residence Inn near the port.

I can't wait to get on that ship!!!!!!!

 

[christinou]

Thanks Lisa for the info, being that I will do the excursion alone with the kids I better not get too woobly, otherwise they will have to bring me back to the ship.

 

[christinou]

Oh yes, I am busy at work this morning, well I just look up again time for excursions and it seems that they do have the excursion that I want in the morning, so what is everyone else doing in terms of excursions??

 

[PhotoLisa]

Hope everyone had a good weekend! We were busy with LSU football Saturday and then went to the French Quarter with my son today. How about everyone else . . . what did you do?

 

[MichiganMouse]

We have been working on my dd15's homecoming float. Homecoming is this week, so this is the final week to get the float ready (the theme is game shows and they are doing Survivor. Last year the theme was Disney - yeah!! and they did Toy Story!) The football game is Friday and the dance is Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed for nice weather.

 

[PhotoLisa]

My dd (16) had her homecoming on 9/23 or thereabouts. They no longer have parades due to liability and instead just have a pep rally on Thursday night in the school's stadium. Each class makes a "breakthrough" instead and there is no competition.

Its totally a bummer compared to what I had when I was in school -- parade with floats followed by a bonfire but they don't know any better and pack their stadium.

I hope the weather is good for the weekend for your DD. Nothing like yucky weather to make a bad hair day and a mess for dressing up!

 

[MichiganMouse]

Sadly, I attended a funeral today for one of my dearest friends' step-daughter. She committed suicide at the age of 26, she suffered from depression and things got to be too much. Hug your kids!!!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Sadly, I attended a funeral today for one of my dearest friends' step-daughter. She committed suicide at the age of 26, she suffered from depression and things got to be too much. Hug your kids!!!

Wow, that's so sad. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a child to suicide. It definitely makes you appreciate what you have.

 

[christinou]

With all of the craziness lately, I just can't seem to stop hugging my kids. It is becoming very hard not to get completely over protective.......

I do keep distracted by planning our cruise, just 6 weeks until we can make excursion reservations.

We are schedule for second seating when is every body else eating??