February 2, 2008 Eastern early check in

[Gina]

Hi all!

Okay, so DS and I are sooooo ready to go. I got him a new dry snorkel for his birthday last month (got tired of him coveting mine!) and he is itching to use it. I've also been collecting more trial sizes of the products we like as I find them. Am I the only one who never really totally unpacks?? LOL

I'm trying to convince my aunt to come along with us. She loves all things tropical as much as I do, but has always been wary of cruising. Thinks she'll be cooped up on some little boat or something. (!!) She's our WDW partner-in-crime, and my giggle-twin -- more like my sister or cousin than my aunt. Together we're usually a party waiting to happen, so I know we would have a blast. The ship might have to stock up on extra coconut rum, though.

I love booking early -- the price has already gone up more than $100 since we booked in early January.

Hope everyone is doing well!

-gina-

 

[pjohnson]

Hi all!

Okay, so DS and I are sooooo ready to go. I got him a new dry snorkel for his birthday last month (got tired of him coveting mine!) and he is itching to use it. I've also been collecting more trial sizes of the products we like as I find them. Am I the only one who never really totally unpacks?? LOL

I'm trying to convince my aunt to come along with us. She loves all things tropical as much as I do, but has always been wary of cruising. Thinks she'll be cooped up on some little boat or something. (!!) She's our WDW partner-in-crime, and my giggle-twin -- more like my sister or cousin than my aunt. Together we're usually a party waiting to happen, so I know we would have a blast. The ship might have to stock up on extra coconut rum, though.

I love booking early -- the price has already gone up more than $100 since we booked in early January.

Hope everyone is doing well!

-gina-

Hey Gina

Glad to see I'm not the only one collecting small items that we will need to bring. I've even taken the suit cases out of the attic.

I see your a Captain Morgans Fan! We will have to meet. My husband(Scott) and I are also, fans of Captain Morgan! Our group shut down the night club a few times last time we sailed on the magic. They have great adult entertainment on the ship.

Peggy

 

[suzct]

Hi everyone,
We'll be joining you next year! We were on the Western Jan 27th cruise and I am hooked. It is me, Dh ,DD6 and DS4. I just finished my photobook and am now organizing all my Shutters photos, navigators etc. We decided to try the Eastern this time. I wasn't sure DH was going to go for it 2 years in a row. I said that we had to at least book on board to get the discount and that we could always change our minds later. I don't think he's changed his mind. It was such a great mix of fun for the adults and the kids. My kids both loved the kids clubs. We had to practically pull them out at the end. We didn't take advantage of them enough though. Next time we'll let them stay there a little more and have some more time to ourselves. Especially at night. We never even made it to the clubs etc. Looking back on the Navigator's, there are so many things we didn't do that I was sure we would like Bingo, Wendy's Tea. I am already excited to get back. Now that we know what it's all about, I think we'll get even more out of it. Look forward to chatting with you over the next 11 mos.

SuzCT

 

[Gina]

Hey Gina

Glad to see I'm not the only one collecting small items that we will need to bring. I've even taken the suit cases out of the attic.

I see your a Captain Morgans Fan! We will have to meet. My husband(Scott) and I are also, fans of Captain Morgan! Our group shut down the night club a few times last time we sailed on the magic. They have great adult entertainment on the ship.

Peggy

Actually I'm a Malibu fan... but Parrot Bay will work fine, too. And you're right -- the adult entertainment is great!! I wouldn't miss "Match Your Mate" or the adult scavenger hunt for anything.


Hi Suz, and welcome!! You have GOT to make it to the clubs this time... I am by no means a "barfly" here in the regular world, I assure you. But there is just so much fun going on in the nightclubs onboard at night. We'll share the coconut rum with you, don't worry.


-gina-

 

[PhotoLisa]

Magic Quest was a BLAST (scavenger hunt). We never laughed so much in all our lives! One guy brought up a set of false teeth that belonged to the man sitting next to him. I thought Trent was going to die from laughter that Scotty B actually convinced someone to give up their teeth to him for the sake of winning a cruise contest!

That is definitely a must attend event.

Another is the farewell performance in Diversions at 10:45 on the last night. Pack your luggage before dinner so you don't miss this performance.

Banana Creme Pie Martinis in the Cove Cafe . . . yummmmmmm . . . .

I can't wait to go back to the ship . . . I feel like its a home away from home now! My same room will be neat and tidy waiting for my arrival.

 

[Gina]

Hi guys ~

My son and another boy close to his age from this sailing are already becoming fast email buddies and "Disfriends" as they have dubbed themselves. Are there any other kids of yours who would like to join in? We could set up an email group for them so they can make friends before the cruise. Our two sons are already planning to take over Ocean Quest together. LOL

Just let me know -- it would be easy to set up, and a closed list. Also, I did set up a Yahoo group for us all in case anyone wants to share pictures, links, info, etc. Just let me know if you'd like the addy to that.

-gina-

 

[PhotoLisa]

Gina:

Please send me the info for the yahoo page. I'll pass it on to my daughter, mfabre and she'll share it with pjohnson (her stepmom).

Lisa

 

[Gina]

Just sent you a PM, Lisa.

I think there was someone else who wanted the info a little while back, but I got sidetracked and forgot who... Anyone who would like the link, please just let me know!

-gina-

 

[PhotoLisa]

Thanks Gina!

As soon as my daughter's Internet is hooked up at her new house Friday, she'll be along to ask for entrance too. I'll send her the link.

Lisa

 

[Billinaz]

My 3 kids would like to get to know some friends before they board!

Kim will be 11
Dan will be 9
Melanie will be 8

 

[PhotoLisa]

Billinaz:

How will us recent b2b cruisers survive with only one week on the ship next February? Wasn't crusing back to back specatcular? Surely, 7 days on the Magic will seem entirely too short!

Welcome back to the thread.

Lisa

 

[Gina]

Howdy all!

I just wanted to make it easier on everyone and post the address for the Yahoo group. It's http://groups.yahoo.com/group/febcruise/ . It's still a closed group, so no one will be able to get in anyway without me manually approving them, so simply having the address won't help someone who shouldn't be there. If you could, just stick a quick note with your DIS name to me in the comments-to-owner box when you join, so I know who's who. And if it makes anyone feel safer, this group isn't even searchable -- I tried, because I couldn't remember my log in, and was going to try and get in through a back door way. No such luck. The group just doesn't exist unless you know about it.

I know some people probably think it's redundant to have a thread here and also a group somewhere else, but I have done this for each of our cruises and it really is a big help!

I've created a database there where anyone in the group can enter their info (such as stateroom, cell phone number, dining seating, etc.), and we can each print out the info to take with us before the cruise. It makes it soooo much easier to get in touch with other DIS'ers onboard.

There are also photo albums where we can share cruise pictures and pictures of ourselves, a links section where we can share planning links, and other great tools.

As soon as work and school calm down a little bit, I am going to post a lot of the stuff I have and hopefully get the ball rolling a little better. This will also be a great place for all our kids to post to each other where it's not out in the public as on the DIS boards.

I'm not trying to shut down this thread, I promise. This thread needs to stay active so other people know about us as they book! I just wanted to give everyone a bigger toolbox to plan with.

If you need any help at all with it, please just let me know!

-gina-

 

[Smooch]

Woohoo!

We just moved our reservation to this date. We can't wait!

We are DH Sean (34), DW Kate (Smooch) (33), DD Kaila (8), DS Kyle (2), DB Brian (34), DSIL Michelle (34), and DN Britney (13). Brian, Michelle and Britney are always a tentative reservation since they are active Air Force and they never know when they will get sent TDY (thank goodness for trip insurance).

This will be our second Disney cruise as a group and the third for DH and I. Let the planning begin!

 

[pjohnson]

Woohoo!

We just moved our reservation to this date. We can't wait!

We are DH Sean (34), DW Kate (Smooch) (33), DD Kaila (8), DS Kyle (2), DB Brian (34), DSIL Michelle (34), and DN Britney (13). Brian, Michelle and Britney always a tentative reservation since they are active Air Force and they never know when they will get sent TDY (thank goodness for trip insurance).

This will be our second Disney cruise as a group and the third for DH and I. Let the planning begin!

Hi Smooch,

Glad you will be sailing with us. We have a large gang traveling with us. Glad to have the military sailing with us. We are a military family. My step son which is photolisa's son and mfabre's brother is with the marine corp. He sailed with us last year after serving a year in Iraq. It was a good needed vacation for all of us. Hope no one gets called to duty.

pjohnson

 

[olewnikpe]

We're a very excited family of four booked on our first cruise after many trips to WDW. I'm just as bad as the kids, and want to plan and learn everything about the cruse yesterday, and happily share what I learn with my girls (will be 8 & 5 in 2/08).

I'd love to become a member of the yahoo group that was created.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Welcome to the group!!!

I've sailed with DCL five times in five years (twice in February this year) and have lots of information stored in my head. Ask away and I'll help you out all that I can!

Soon, I am going to attempt to scan my eastern navigators from 2/17/07 so that everyone can do some preliminary planning.

Lisa

 

[olewnikpe]

Thanks Lisa, I'm sure I will have questions. Right now, there are so many things to consider before, during, and after the cruise that I'm still in the mode of not even being able to formulate any questions.. I'ts overwhelming!

Although, I think I do have one question that I can pose to you or anyone else that is related to drop-off/check-in at the port. The plan right now is that we're going to rent from Budget after we land at MCO the night before, then in the morning, I'll drop off the family at the port. Can they begin the check-in process while I'm returning the car or do they have to wait for me? How does that process work?

I'm thinking it is similar to airport check-in, and they need everyone there to match up photo ID, etc.

Thanks... Eddie

 

[PhotoLisa]

Thanks Lisa, I'm sure I will have questions. Right now, there are so many things to consider before, during, and after the cruise that I'm still in the mode of not even being able to formulate any questions.. I'ts overwhelming!

Although, I think I do have one question that I can pose to you or anyone else that is related to drop-off/check-in at the port. The plan right now is that we're going to rent from Budget after we land at MCO the night before, then in the morning, I'll drop off the family at the port. Can they begin the check-in process while I'm returning the car or do they have to wait for me? How does that process work?

I'm thinking it is similar to airport check-in, and they need everyone there to match up photo ID, etc.

Thanks... Eddie

Your wife will be able to check you in. Just send her inside with your passport, the printed payment authorization form and your Bahamas form. The Bahamas form you will receive in your documents about 1 1/2 weeks before the cruise. The payment authorization form is done online about 90 days before the cruise.

When you return from bringing the rental car back you'll just need your driver's license to show them at the gate to get into the terminal. By that time, your wife will have checked you all in and you'll join them in time to wait for your boarding number to be called!!!

 

[olewnikpe]

Awesome, thanks Lisa, that was something I was a little concerned about.

I didn't want to have them sitting outside waiting for me to return, then I'd be stressed out, because no matter how long it takes to get back to the port, it would be too long. Because they would be there, so close, but yet so far from getting things started.

 

[PhotoLisa]

The best part is that they will get an earlier boarding number going in the terminal without you! After you've entered the terminal, gone through the metal detector and get ready to go up the escalator, the CM will attempt to give you a boarding number. You can tell them that your family is already upstairs.

I am missing being on the ship sooooo much. I can't wait for February to get here!