February 25, 2006 Western Magic Cruisers!!

[Edinafabs]

Yes, we requested APL because I wanted to be in the fancier restaurants when we have formal/semi formal evenings. I requested it through my TA when I booked. I thought I saw a thread saying what rotations are what times but now I can't find it. Oh well, I'd prefer the 8:00 or 8:15 but whatever. As long as someone is bringing me food I won't complain. Last time we got paired with a very nice Japanese couple with a 3yr old, unfortunately they spoke almost no English. They were very nice and sweet but not alot of conversations going on there. I'm looking for lively, fun tablemates. I think we have a bunch in our DIS'er group!!! Now the smiles aren't working for me at all. Rats!

Eddy

 

[Cajun Cruiser]

Hi everyone! Can't wait to get our documents. I'm a little nervous because we booked our cruise before Hurricane Katrina and we requested to fly out of New Orleans the morning of the 25th. I really want to know what our flight plans are. And don't you know I got my February schedule at work and I have to be out of town the week leading up to the cruise. I will be back home the Thursday or Friday and we have to drive to New Orleans the Friday night to catch an early morning flight (I guessing) on Saturday. Is that a bummer or what. I will have to be completely finished packing the week-end before.

Does anyone have any suggestions for Key West. We reserved an electric car for 2 hours but we don't know where to go except the kids (DS13 and DS10) want to go to the Pirates Museum. Any other suggestions on things the kids might like to see? Keep in mind we have never been to Key West before.

 

[PhotoLisa]

Hi everyone! Can't wait to get our documents. I'm a little nervous because we booked our cruise before Hurricane Katrina and we requested to fly out of New Orleans the morning of the 25th. I really want to know what our flight plans are.

I had booked our flights out of New Orleans (6 AM direct) through Delta way, way long ago too but not through the cruiseline. A few months back (November I believe), one of my sister's employees called to verify his ressies through Delta going to Orlando and he was shocked when they told him his reservations were cancelled and his money had been refunded to his card!!!! My sister called because she was travelling a week after her employee and her flights were okay.

That prompted me to call and guess what! My flights for 6 of us were cancelled! I was PISSED to say the least. They ended up rebooking us for the same price leaving out of Baton Rouge but with a layover in Atlanta. That was the ONLY flight that would get us to Orlando on time to be at the ship before it leaves! I've been calling Delta every week since then to be sure nothing happens again.

I've learned my lesson . . . don't fly in on the day of the cruise . . . even if you live in the south and don't have to be concerned with snow delays!!!

I'd get on the horn to whoever is responsible for your flights and insist on getting the flight information verified. I'd ask for an email confirmation!

Let us know what happens. Hopefully you're okay and they rebooked you as soon as flights out of New Orleans were regular. (They were pretty regular when I found out about our mishap but they couldn't do anything to get me to the port on time leaving out of New Orleans!)

 

[Bostonbrat]

Ok I need some help. What is APL? And how did you book that? This is our first cruise and I am so lost.

 

[beaner720]

Ok I need some help. What is APL? And how did you book that? This is our first cruise and I am so lost.

APL is the dining rotation. If you have APL you would eat in Animator's Palate the first night, Parrot Cay the second night, and Lumiere's the third night, and then start over again from the beginnng. If you have PLA, it would be Parrot Cay, Lumiere's, Animator's Palate ... and so on.

We requested APL through our TA, but it is only a request and nothing is guaranteed. We also requested the 8:00 seating, but that's no guarantee either. I told our TA that we would rather have the 8:00 seating if we don't get the rotation we want ... so we'll see.

Hope this helps!

 

[kj375]

Here's a question for those of you who have cruised the Magic before.. Are there reading lights above the beds? We have an outside room without verandah. One bed comes out of the ceiling. We all like to read at night and I'm not sure whether we need to bring small reading lights.

Also, what is the scavenger hunt at Key West? Last time we walked down to the southernmost point, I don't remember it as being very far. Do we need to rent a car to get to the pirate museum?

Kathy

 

[dreamakermom]

Good morning!!!! One more day closer!! My older kids are evn getting excited as the DS 21 came over yesterday and asked for his checklist so he ca start getting things together.... that got me very excited. Of course, I have been packed, so my packing fun is over
Now, as I drink my latte and read the boards I think...in a few weeks I will be drinking my latte in Coffee Cove!!!!
OK... first Holli!!! You go girl!!! I am jealous as I know Bon Jovi rocked on!! Glad you had fun.
Next... I think you canget those Mickey cookies and some colorful Mickey cheese crackers (tiny) at Walmart if I am remembering correctly. Also, thatis where I got my Mickey Cheeses.
I did not know you could make grilled cheese on the Mickey Iron!!! That is great!!! I will do that maybe the end of the week to get themall more excited!!!
Boston... the APL stuff... I am lost on also.
Lisa...how is the world would I do pillowcases? Can you give me step by step instructions? You can p.m. me. I am a little dense on these things and need to be walked through SLOWLY but this sounds like the icing to the cake. I would LOVE to do it.
OK I am going to go download more music to my player for the cruise... "Sea" you soon!!!
Welcome to all the new people!!! Karen

 

[hjensen]

Ditto Lisa...I would love to learn how to make the pillow case!! DS would love that!! But I too (sorry Karen!!) am not too bright when it comes to things like that. Was wondering if you could PM me also!! If so.. I would really appreciate it!

 

[dreamakermom]

OH!!! How could I have forgotten!!! We had ressies in Cozumel for "snuba"diving. I got an email yesterday from the company telling me that DCL is currently not going there and I need to check with them so they can refund my money or switch ressies. I heard somewhere that we WILL be going to Cozumel. I am calling DCL tomorrow when I get my "list" of questions together. Has anybody heard what is going on? Maybe I have asked this question before and don't remember, my memory is bad (age ) and I am way too excited and that really does NOT help when I am trying to remember things! I am driving my kids absolutely CRAZY asking them the same questions over and over. Bye guys!

 

[rjh8115]

Here's a question for those of you who have cruised the Magic before.. Are there reading lights above the beds? We have an outside room without verandah. One bed comes out of the ceiling. We all like to read at night and I'm not sure whether we need to bring small reading lights.

Also, what is the scavenger hunt at Key West? Last time we walked down to the southernmost point, I don't remember it as being very far. Do we need to rent a car to get to the pirate museum?

Kathy

Hi Kathy,
The upper bunk (that folds down for the night) has a reading light. The lower bunk (couch during the day) does not. There are reading lamps on either side of the queen size bed.

I can't help you on the scavenger hunt, but you shouldn't need a car for the pirate museum. Everything is walkable in old town.

Rick

 

[rjh8115]

OH!!! How could I have forgotten!!! We had ressies in Cozumel for "snuba"diving. I got an email yesterday from the company telling me that DCL is currently not going there and I need to check with them so they can refund my money or switch ressies. I heard somewhere that we WILL be going to Cozumel. I am calling DCL tomorrow when I get my "list" of questions together. Has anybody heard what is going on? Maybe I have asked this question before and don't remember, my memory is bad (age ) and I am way too excited and that really does NOT help when I am trying to remember things! I am driving my kids absolutely CRAZY asking them the same questions over and over. Bye guys!

Hi Karen,
As far as I know, we are supposed to go to Cozumel. According to the DCL website, this week's Western Magic is the last one to be diverted to Nassau or Costa Maya. The Feb 11th sailing is the first scheduled to go back to Cozumel.

Please let us know if DCL tells you anything different . . . .

Rick

 

[rjh8115]

Ok I need some help. What is APL? And how did you book that? This is our first cruise and I am so lost.

Hi Boston,
Beaner hit it on the head with this. You usually won't know your dining rotation until you check in (either at a resort or the port) and get your KTTW card. It will say APLAPLA, PLAPLAP, or LAPLAPL.

The trend seems to be if your party includes:

• Young kids - APLAPLA
• Older kids - PLAPLAP
• Adults - LAPLAPL

Last year on the Wonder, we had PTA (T=L on Magic). The year before we went APT. . . .

Rick

 

[rjh8115]

The Mickey M's are made/distributed by Fireside Baking Company. We got a big box at Costco . . .

 

[levea]

Hi Kathy,
The scavenger hunt is in Key West. If you need info on it go to there website at keywesthunt I noticed the times of there package will start before we get off the ship so I am putting together a group of 10 or more. You are more than welcome to join in if this sounds good to you. Let me know.
Alicia

 

[kshabare]

We have early seating. DS is 11. Last year we had early seating since we usually eat dinner around 5:30/6:30 pm. So, waiting until 8:30 would sit like a rock in our bellies. I was a little disappointed when we didn't have two nights in Animator's. However, we had two nights in Lumieres and liked that better.
Not that we are saying anyone needs to but if anyone wanted to they can 'link' reservations together and usually your dining tables would sit together. Last year we didn't link our table but were placed with the greatest two families anyone could ask for. One party was DM, DD and DS12. The other party was a 60/70 year old couple with the spirit of 30 year olds.
We are seriously considering the scavenger hunt since we've biked the island and it really didn't hold our attention. I'd enjoy something fun and zany.
As far as Coz goes...the underwater world took quite a hit and even if we do go there you may wish to reconsider paying top dollar for a snuba/snorkel adventure. We'll play mini-golf. That's always been fun. Taking a taxi from the mini-golf only cost us $15.00.

Kim

 

[Louise-Montreal]

Guess what arrived today??? My cruise documents!!!!!!!!
Start checking those mailboxes

 

[hjensen]

How Great!!!!!! I hope ours is on the way also!!! How exciting!!!

 

[vavalynn2]

cant wait!

i emailed my ta last week to see when they would arrive, she said not for a couple more weeks.

its official, the trip is right around the corner. we have the suitcase on the floor dropping items that we want to take.

happy less than a month!

 

[Bostonbrat]

Hello All....I know this has been asked many times before BUT, do we HAVE to get wicked dressed for the formal and semi formal nights? When I'm on vacation the last thing I need to do is worry about being dressed enough. (I hope that made sense. It made sense in my head ) I don't want to bring a ton of clothes and I always over pack but if laundry can be done that will cut down on what I have to bring.

 

[rjh8115]

Hello All....I know this has been asked many times before BUT, do we HAVE to get wicked dressed for the formal and semi formal nights? When I'm on vacation the last thing I need to do is worry about being dressed enough. (I hope that made sense. It made sense in my head ) I don't want to bring a ton of clothes and I always over pack but if laundry can be done that will cut down on what I have to bring.

Hi Boston,
You've asked an interesting question . . .

If you ask this question to 5 DISers, you will get 10 different answers

Rule of thumb is to do what you are comfortable with. DCL is more casual than the other cruise lines out there when it comes to dinner dress. I usually wear a dark suit and tie and DW wears a nice cocktail or sun dress on the formal and semi-formal nights. But that is us, we like dressing up for dinner.

Just my $0.02 worth . . .

Rick